Liverpool move to four points off the top with an emphatic win at Old Trafford thanks to a couple of Steven Gerrard spot-kicks and a goal from Luis Suarez. Elsewhere, the north London derby was settled by the tie’s fastest ever strike – a Tomas Rosicky thunderbolt on just 72 seconds. Three points and a clean sheet on their travels for both Liverpool and Arsenal, then, as the Premier League title race heats up:
Suarez Repays the Faith
After both Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku failed their armband backers on Saturday, the pressure was on Luis Suarez to produce in Liverpool’s Sunday trip to Old Trafford. With a tough tie on the cards and some emerging alternatives, Suarez was far from the automatic captaincy contender last week and garnered just 18% votes in the Captain Poll – yet again, though, he rose to the occasion by grabbing a goal (and, apparently, soon-to-be-awarded assist) in the 3-0 rout. Whilst Daniel Sturridge had temporarily threatened to usurp the Uruguayan, Brendan Rodgers’ switch to a diamond formation in the last two matches and field the pair as a front two has swung the momentum back in Suarez’ favour. Once the assist is added in the FPL game, Suarez is also likely to receive a couple of bonus points and will then have outscored Sturridge by 26 points to six in the last two matches, strengthening his credentials once again ahead of the double Gameweek.
Gerrard Racks up the Points Again
Three penalties awarded to Liverpool in one match – at Old Trafford, no less – and there could have been more. There is no doubt that Steven Gerrard is benefiting from Liverpool’s direct and attacking philosophy, with the Reds now boasting double figures for penalties awarded. Even after missing the third (and let’s not forget that he handed one to Sturridge earlier in the season) Gerrard’s two goals and maximum bonus took his average to 5.8 points per game – joint fourth with David Silva in midfield and bettered only by Yaya Toure of those likely to play twice in the double Gameweek. With an ownership sitting at 11%, the Liverpool captain could prove a decisive choice in the season run-in.
Liverpool Defence Tightening Up
One clean sheet does not necessarily make a great defence, but Liverpool have always had it in them, but for a few errors. The Reds have now come through their last two league games unscathed with 3-0 away wins at Southampton and United – clearly, the midfield diamond seems to benefit the Merseysiders’ potential at both ends of the pitch and with Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger now fit and back in the starting XI, Liverpool are finally starting to replicate the resolve which harvested three successive clean sheets at the start of the season.
Van Persie’s Star Fading Fast
Still bearing the weight of the highest price tag in FPL, Robin Van Persie will have given many of his owners food for thought with his latest ineffective display. For all his pre-match statements of intent, the Dutch international looked uninterested and failed to create anything of merit in a home tie against United’s bitter rivals – the sort of game he used to thrive in and could almost always be relied upon to bring home the points. With the double Gameweek deadline ticking down, it’s a sign of the times that just over 200 Fantasy managers have drafted in Van Persie for United’s pair of fixtures so far – the out-of-sorts Dutchman’s owners have a real quandary, now, though many will likely hand him a final stay of execution and reassess the situation once the double is over.
Rosicky Relishing a First Team Run
Following his Gameweek 27 strike against Sunderland, Tomas Rosicky notched his second goal of the season in memorable style with a powerful match winner against Spurs. The midfielder has sat on the periphery for much of the season at the Emirates, but with injuries accumulating Arsene Wenger has turned to the Czech international as a source of attacking creativity. Aaron Ramsay, Mesut Özil and Jack Wilshere all set to miss the double, making the 5.5-priced Rosicky a decent budget differential with less than 1% ownership.
Arsenal Backline Grinds out Another Clean Sheet
Some tough fixtures will have deterred many from investing in Arsenal but with yesterday’s north London derby producing the Gunners’ 13th shout out of the season, many may look to hold onto Per Mertesacker and co. The upcoming schedule is by no means easy – aside from a home clash with Swansea, Arsene Wenger’s side square up to Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton in the next three Gameweeks but if they are to emerge from this difficult run with their title challenge intact, defensive discipline will be key.
