Scout Notes – Gameweek 9 – Sunday

Samuel Eto’o bags a brace as Everton ease past Burnley. United clinch a last-gasp point at home to Chelsea thanks to Robin van Persie, whilst Alan Pardew’s half-time changes inspire Newcastle to victory at the Lane.

Van Persie Leaves it Late

Robin van Persie struck his third goal in five appearances late in injury time to earn United a 1-1 home draw with league leaders Chelsea. He may be far from justifying his 12.4 price tag, but the Dutchman is at least providing the goals to raise the Red Devils’ hopes of a title challenge and looks in pole position to retain the lone striker role ahead of Radamel Falcao, should Louis van Gaal continue with his current formation when the Colombian recovers from a knock. With Wayne Rooney also back from suspension next week, however, Fantasy managers will have to wait and see how the United boss opts to line up from here on in.

Angel Di Maria disappointed his 39.5% ownership by serving up a blank against the Blues but the underlying stats remain strong – the former Real Madrid man still, nonetheless, produced four attempts on goal and five key passes across the 90 minutes. Although some owners may now be considering selling for Alexis Sanchez or Eden Hazard before next weekend’s deadline, Di Maria does have three excellent home fixtures in his next four from Gameweek 11 onwards (CPL, HUL, STK) – a schedule that could see him rack up the points once again.

Drogba Proves an Able Deputy

Jose Mourinho’s side still remain undefeated, even without talismanic striker Diego Costa, who didn’t travel to Old Trafford. Instead, it was left to Didier Drogba to do the business up top – the Chelsea legend nodding home his first Premier League goal since 2012 in his first league start of his second tenure at Stamford Bridge. With basement-dwellers QPR up next for the Blues, question marks remain over whether Mourinho will risk Costa, whose combination of hamstring and illness problems could be set to frustrate his declining band of owners yet further. Chelsea have picked up four points in the two matches without the Spain striker and with another international break around the corner, it remains to be seen whether his manager will feel it necessary to rush him back into action.

Elsewhere for Chelsea, Branislav Ivanovic was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence yesterday – an incident that consequently led to United grabbing the equaliser – though the 7.3-priced defender will serve his ban in the midweek Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury Town and will be available for selection once more against QPR in Gameweek 10.

Toffees Front Two See Off Burnley

Everton strike duo Samuel Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku were both amongst the goals yesterday in a 3-1 win at Burnley. The former bagged a brace in just his second start of the campaign, whilst Lukaku continued to show signs of consistency, notching a fourth in his last six appearances, with bonus points also acquired in two of those displays.

With European commitments to consider, Roberto Martinez’s rotation policy is paying off for the Toffees right now – it’s two consecutive wins in the league, with three goals scored in each of those fixtures. Having impressed against Aston Villa last weekend, Ross Barkley was victim to his manager’s rotation this time round and made just a 26-minute cameo from the bench in the victory. Steven Naismith did, however, retain his starting spot, though the Scot disappointed his 25.4% ownership with his fifth blank his last six outings and was fielded on the flank in order to accommodate Eto’o in a central role alongside Lukaku.

Baines’ Blistering Form Continues

The left-back notched yet another assist and also walked away from Turf Moor with two bonus points to ensure his place atop the Fantasy Premier League defender rankings. A total of six assists is already more than Baines managed across the entire 2013/14 season, and with the Toffees’ kind upcoming fixtures in mind (SWA, sun, WHM), his imperious form looks set to continue. Available for 7.1, he may be the second dearest backline option in the game, but with three double-figure hauls already to his name, Baines is arguably shaping up for his strongest season so far for the Toffees.

Spurs Suffer Euro Hangover

Yesterday’s shock defeat to Newcastle means that the north London outfit have taken just six points from five matches after Europa League fixtures this season – a fact that now means they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table. However, whilst Cristian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli struggled against the Toon, Emmanuel Adebayor did at least pick up returns in the Tottenham attack. The Togo international scored his side’s goal in the 2-1 loss, and also received maximum bonus points, as he returned to the starting line-up after being rested against Man City in Gameweek 9. Spurs have good fixtures ahead (avl, STK, hul), but with only six goals now scored in their last seven in the league, managers are likely to have reservations over investing in their attackers right now.

Toon Fringe Players Spark Comeback

Newcastle have now recorded back-to-back wins despite the loss of their star striker Papiss Cisse to a knee injury ahead of yesterday’s clash. Instead, it was left to their squad players to pick up the points, with half-time substitute Sammy Ameobi and Ayoze Perez, in his first start of the season, grabbing the goals. Remy Cabella also emerged from the bench, and delivered the cross for Ayoze to head home Newcastle’s second, and the 7.2-priced midfielder will now be hopeful of regaining his starting berth for the first time since Gameweek 6 when Alan Pardew’s side take on Liverpool next weekend. Once again, the 4.4-priced Gabriel Obertan retained his starting position and looks increasingly integral to the Magpies’ fortunes this term.