Cityβs Bosnian striker makes the most of his cameo role by netting Cityβs winner against a plucky Palace, while Hullβs midfield quarterback hits double figures on a day that saw Fantasy managers plunged into panic by the absence of captaincy candidate, Wayne Rooney.
The Game Changer
Man Cityβs team sheet was the focus of our morning anxiety and, while Rooneyβs omission eventually overshadowed Manuel Pellegriniβs reshuffles, the City lineup was to prove pivotal in our Saturday scoring. With the likes of Yaya Toure and Alvaro Negredo absent, it was left to Edin Dzeko to make the difference as a brave Palace rearguard was eventually breached by the Bosnianβs decisive strike.
Subject of our βDifferentialsβ article and my own pre-amble this morning, Dzekoβs intervention will have provided rewards for a minority of Fantasy managers who took a risk on the City striker.
As my own ramblings mentioned, Dzeko looks to be a one-week proposition β unlikely to feature in Wednesdayβs starting lineup, he was a trade who had to produce today to justify the gamble. With maximum Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus likely to follow, a nine point return, potentially doubled with the captaincy, looks a notable contribution in a Gameweek which seems destined for modest returns.
Sadly for Dzeko and his owners, his winner, however precious, is unlikely to strengthen his case for consistent starts in Pellegriniβs plans. Heβs likely be shown a quick exit and thanked for his efforts on a day which saw the big names blank.
The Underused
Heralded as a superb summer signing, Tom Huddlestone has been integral to Hull Cityβs impressive start to their Premier League campaign. Stationed in a deep-lying midfield role, turning defence into attack with sublime simplicity, the Β£5 million signing from Spurs seemed unlikely to tempt Fantasy interest. Todayβs impressive 14-point haul may well change that β albeit briefly.
Huddlestoneβs superb dead-ball delivery has been a feature of the Tigersβ season but, today, his two assists were accompanied by a first goal of the campaign in a 6-0 drubbing of RenΓ© Meulensteenβs Fulham.
That was his first Premier League goal since 2011 β underlining the fact that Huddlestoneβs appeal perhaps remains limited. At just 4.8 in the FPL, however, the playmaker is an assured starter who will likely contribute further assists.
Surely a contender for Hullβs player of the year, Huddlestone is exactly the kind of midfielder that Fantasy games and their scoring systems should be trying to reach. Huddlestone may claim maximum FPL bonus points from todayβs convincing win but that will be only the second time heβs been recognised by the BPS. Arguably, as one of the seasonβs top performers so far, we should have had reason to take notice way before todayβs haul. Huddlestone is one of several midfielders βunderusedβ and undervalued in Fantasy terms.
The Selection Poser
Rooneyβs absence from the United team sheet with further groin gripes was undoubtedly the biggest blow on a day which saw rotation bite. United stuttered without his influence but David Moyes and United have already confirmed that he is likely to make his return against Spurs on Wednesday. With FPL vice captains kicking in, the onus will now be back on Luis Suarez to produce at Chelsea β the impact of Rooneyβs injury could well be minor, then.
Even so, with Yaya Toure omitted by Pellegrini, we saw two key figures in the established βtemplateβ go AWOL, just a few days after Aaron Ramseyβs injury. Such setbacks could yet cause a shake-up in the rankings and mini-leagues, although few Fantasy managers seem likely to have benefited significantly from todayβs events.
Tomorrowβs encounter at the Bridge will be more important that ever. Should Suarez blank again and Theo Walcott, backed by some with armband, produce at Newcastle, we may yet see Gameweek 19 have a significant impact.
