Saturday Review & Live Chat Gameweek 16 FPL Fantasy Premier League

Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal

What a way to start off the weekend! Words cannot really describe to you what on earth went on in those 90 minutes at the Etihad yesterday but we will try our best to put it into words for you. From a corner kick, Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City the lead after a flick on by Martin Demichelis was volleyed in brilliantly at the far post. On the half hour mark the return of Theo Walcott for Arsenal saw him grab his first of the game when a rather tame shot trickled past Pantilimon in goal. Perhaps a slight deflection off a City defender could have been the reason for the keeper not moving at all. Alvaro Negredo then put the hosts back into the lead after finishing off a cross from Pablo Zabaleta. Between that goal and City’s third, fantasy managers are left to ponder the seriousness of two injuries, one to Arsenal’s Koscielny and the other, possibly an even bigger loss, that of Sergio Aguero. Early indications do not look promising but we will have to wait and see.  After the break it was City to score again, this time a first premier league goal for Fernandinho. Walcott then grabbed his second of the game with a great finish, the assist coming from Ramsey. Fantasy managers who drafted in David Silva would have been very happy as the Spaniard increased City’s lead yet again to two goals soon after that, with the assist provided by Aguero’s replacement Jesus Navas. Fernandinho then got his second of the game dinking the ball over Szczesny from Samir Nasri’s pass. Arsenal were then denied a couple of offside goals that were perhaps a lot closer than seemed before Per Mertesacker grabbed a late consolation. It was still not over though as James Milner was fouled in the box and Yaya Toure stepped up to convert. Nine goals in total to end the game, I could barely catch my breath.

Bonus Points: Fernandinho (3), Silva (2), Walcott

Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace

With last week’s result at Stoke, Chelsea had to bounce back as soon as possible in order to stay in the running, however they had to work a lot harder than most people would have thought in this one. The scoring was opened by goal scoring machine Fernando Torres (We jest but maybe he is back now?) after an effort by Willian was parried onto the post by Speroni and Torres followed in on the rebound. Shock then rang around Stamford Bridge (in both the home and away fans sections) as Marouane Chamakh scored his third goal in three games to equalise for Palace. Some form for a man who did not know where the goal was at Arsenal. Joel Ward provided the assist for the Moroccan. However five minutes later Chelsea’s lead was restored as Ramires notched his first goal of the season with a stunning right footed effort from outside of the box. Eden Hazard carried on with his impressive points tally as he was credited with the assist. It was Palace that responded well as they piled on the pressure, however they were not able to get that equaliser and Chelsea secured yet another home win.

Bonus Points: Ramires (3), Willian & Torres (2)

Everton 4-1 Fulham

Everton carried on with their impressive home form yesterday and Goodison Park is really becoming a fortress. The scoring in this one was opened by Leon Osman after he collected a pass from Steven Pienaar and slotted home and that is how it stayed until half time. After the break Everton were put under some pressure resulting in Alex Kacaniklic being brought down by Gareth Barry. The penalty was converted by the leagues coolest player, Dimitar Berbatov once again stroking the ball into the net to level the scores. That joy was short lived as Coleman restored Everton’s lead after turning in another Steven Pienaar assist from close range. Gareth Barry then made amends for his earlier mistake by heading the ball home from point blank range and the points were signed sealed and delivered as Kevin Mirallas came off the bench to score the fourth and final goal for the Blues. Managers who captained Lukaku would have been disappointed with no goals but an assist is not that bad either.

Bonus Points: Osman (3), Coleman (2), Pienaar & Berbatov

Newcastle 1-1 Southampton

A brilliant result for the Toon last time out and they wanted to carry on with the good form. Yoan Gouffran is making a habit of scoring goals at home and this habit continued yesterday as he slotted home calmly after Jos Hooiveld missed a knockdown from Mike Williamson, to give the black and whites the lead. After the break Southampton bounced back as a superb counter attack brought about a goal from Jay Rodriguez who slotted past Tim Krul, the goal was cleverly created by Adam Lallana. A bizarre moment then occurred as referee Mike Jones hit the dirt like a sack of potatoes after being clattered by Mousa Sissoko’s swinging arm. It was rather accidental, so no one was punished for the event but this did result in eight additional minutes being added on, however no one could break the deadlock and a point a piece was shared.

Bonus Points: Gouffran (3), Davis & Rodriguez (2)  

West Ham 0- 0 Sunderland

A massive six pointer here as Sunderland visited West ham with both teams in poor form of late. It was always going to be a tight affair and apart from a couple of wild shots off target, nothing rally materialised in the first half. Things did not really get that much better in the second half as West Ham could not string two passes together and it was Sunderland who were the more attacking side providing countless efforts on goals, but nothing could breach the West Ham net. Clean sheets all round in this one, let’s just hope you had some defenders from either side.

Bonus Points Jaaskelainen (3), McCartney & O’Shea (2)

Cardiff 1-0 West Brom

A crucial match for both teams here as they are both sitting fairly close to the relegation zone. Results have not gone either sides’ way of late but there have been some positive performances, especially Cardiff’s point at home against United and so they were always going to be tough for West Brom to breakdown. Nothing too exciting occurred in the first half and the teams went into the break tied at nil nil.  After the break, on the 66th minute, the deadlock was finally broken as Peter Whittingham headed in a cross from Craig Noone to give Cardiff a priceless lead that was never to be taken away from them as that is how the result stayed in this one. West Brom once again failed to impress and now sit only two points from the bottom three. As a result of this loss, their fourth in a row, the club chose to sack manager Steve Clarke who had been in charge since June 2012.

Bonus Points: Whittingham & Turner (3), Marshall (1)

Hull 0 – 0 Stoke

Hull at home are a side full of confidence and with Stoke’s victory over Chelsea last weekend, one might have thought that we were in for a decent match here, unfortunately that was not the case as yet another nil all draw was produced. After 25 minutes, Hull’s Yannick Sagbo provided a decent chance, however it was saved by Begovic. They carried on doing most of the pressing during the half but nothing came of it. After the break and Begovic was called on once again to make a good save on the line from Elmohamady’s back post header. Ryan Shawcross finally produced a decent effort and he came the closest of everyone as his header hit the bar seconds after McGregor had made a fine save himself from Crouch. With nine goals being scored in the opening game of the weekend, it would have been greedy of us to ask for more goals in the last, but to be frank, one goal at least would have kept us awake during this one.

Bonus Points: Shawcross, Wilson & Muniesa (3)

This article was written by Migs