Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa
The lunch time kick-off saw Fulham face Aston Villa, who had Christian Benteke back in their starting eleven. After a recent poor run of form Dimitar Berbatov had a point to prove to his doubters and Fulham’s new Boss Rene Meulensteen was looking to put an end to a run of six straight losses for “The Lilywhites”. Both sides came out in attacking mode and Villa’s goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, was forced into action early, producing a fine save from a Berbatov header who then had a penalty appeal turned down following a weak challenge from Ciaran Clark. Not to be outdone, Benteke, who looked desperate for a goal, forced Maarten Stekelenberg to parry an effort away. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when former Villain Steve Sidwell squeezed in a fine effort following good work from Ashkan Dejagah. Fulham were now full of confidence and continued to press forward and the lead was doubled on 30 minutes when Alex Kacaniklic was brought down by Leandro Bacuna and the resulting penalty was nonchalantly dispatched by Berbatov. Following the re-start, Villa brought on Aleksandar Tonev for the disappointing Karim El Ahmadi, but Fulham continued to dominate the play with John-Arne Riise, Philippe Senderos and Scott Parker all stepping up to the plate and Riise was only denied when he sent a header crashing off the bar. Villa’s Chris Herd let the dominance of Fulham get to him with a reckless challenge that earned him a yellow card and manager Paul Lambert replaced him shortly afterwards, but Villa could just not break Fulham down and when the home supporters started chanting “How bad must you be, were winning at home” he knew it wasn’t going to be Villas day.
So this was a first win for Meulensteen, who was hugely respected when he was a member of the coaching staff at Old Trafford under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson and judging by today’s result, he might just be the man to turn Fulham’s season around. Todays result showed what confidence can do to a side – Fulham bossed the play but on the flip side Aston Villa looked devoid of ideas, hitting long balls to the out of sorts Benteke.
Bonus points: Sidwell (3) Riether (2) Berbatov & Senderos (1)
Arsenal 1-1 Everton
Next up was a trip to The Emirates as the league leaders entertained an Everton side who have been playing well under Roberto Martinez. Both sides had their young England midfield stars on display, namely Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley and both sets of players set about with a determination to take the three points. The first half was a frantic, high tempo battle. The Toffees started at pace with attacking moves down each flank with Seamus Coleman and Brian Oviedo testing the Gunners defence. Arsenal were sharp with their passing, aware that a win would take them seven points clear of their rivals. To their credit Everton were not in awe of their opponents and Kevin Mirallas fired high after great work from Barkley. It was Arsenal though that had some of the best chances of the half, Santi Cazorla played in a lovely driven cross for Kieran Gibbs which the Arsenal man just failed to connect with and Tim Howard produced two great saves at the feet of Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey. The second half was a feisty affair and Referee Howard Webb had to be on his toes. Everton’s James McCarthy went into the book following a high challenge on Ramsey and will miss GW16 through suspension. Arsene Wenger decided to ring in the changes on 67 minutes in an effort to win the game, when a triple substitution saw the arrival of Mathieu Flamini, Thomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott for Cazorla, Ramsey and Wilshere. Everton responded with the arrival of Leon Osman for Steven Pienaar and Gerard Deulofeu for Miralles. It was the Gunners though that struck first in the 80th minute when Mesut Ozil converted a Walcott assist, but just four minutes later Romelu Lukaku was adjudged to have got the slightest touch to an Oviedo cross and the ball ran onto Deulofeu, who was on hand to smash it into the net. The final few minutes were frantic and Olivier Giroud nearly won it for the Gunners with a rasping 30 yard effort that had Tim Howard well beaten, but not the crossbar. All in all this was a fantastic game of football and both sides will surely look back at it and agree that a draw was a fair result.
Predicted Bonus points: Ozil (3) Deulofeu (2) Jagielka (1), Distin (1), Oviedo (1)
This article was written by Eddy
Im not keen on tonights game. Il catch you guys on the commentary box tomorrow night for some UCL action
Apologies to every1 offended by my previous comments. As you know by now, I was just trying to stur things up, cause abit of drama. Cant always be talking about Fantasy Football
Anyway thats a wrap
Cheers
Dam needed points of brady
GP – when he comes off the bench I’ll be a nervous wreck!!
I’ll be one till he comes on lol
Haha well good luck mate, may the best man win!
Shelvey for the hat trick!
Settle for a Brady brace
M&B – I sincerely hope he won’t do it !!!
GP – if he does you bloody deserve it!!
Good evening guys!
I could use some of your help, my team is facing a serious injury crisis…
Krul (Migs)
Evar-Gabbidon-(Vlaar-Chiriches-Clyne – all injured!)
Ravel-Amalfitano-Arnautovic-Ramsey-Gerrard (inj.)
Luka-Kun-Luis
1FT – 2.2 ITB
The initial plan was to ditch Evra (to Distin – rising tonight) and one of the weak mids but with Gerrard’s injury and with only 2 defs available (at least for now) maybe I’ll have to do something more.
I really want to bring in Distin so I might do it tonight. What do you guys think, should I stick to the plan (Evra) or maybe Clyne would be a better solution?
Any ideas would be appreciated!
Ditch Chuchcichcieries for Distin and Evra for another decent defender
Cheers M&B
I also thought that and Chiriches might even get benched by AVB, it’s a pity as I have him only since last week and I rate Spurs def to be one of the most reliable. But it could be…
Evening all, any thoughts on who I should replace Gerrard with – team is linked. Cheers
herewegoagain
I’m on the same boat but my midfield is quite weak… could you take a look at my team (post above)?
I’d go for Hazard but you have Oscar so maybe Mirallas or, if you’re wiling to do a hit, Gerrard+Oscar (if not fit) to Hazard + Mirallas.
Hello mate, just had a look at your team, see you have a few potential issues to contend with as do I, typical it all comes at once! I have to be honest though I’ve been lucky with injuries and suspensions so far this season so guess it was always coming. I was going to say the same for you, either Hazard or Mirallas, Everton do have some favourable fixtures now and Hazard of late (apart from this GW) has seemed somewhat of a ‘must have’ I’m personally thinking I’m going to keep the faith with Oscar. I feel I have missed the boat on Hazard now.
What plans for your team are you thinking? From your history you look adverse to hit taking – which I am also.
Well, I had a hit planned to this week (Evra+Arnie or Amalfitano) to Distin + Oscar (but I was expecting him to be already fit). The idea was (and it still is) to upgrade the midfield downgrading Evra (I already ditch Ivan to Chiriches two GW ago) but with all these injuries I feel a bit lost.
I’m still keeping the season WC but I guess it makes no sense in playing it now.
The problem with Hazard is his price…if I go for him I’ll be left without funds to bring another good mid…
I would definitely recommend waiting till Friday/Saturday till you make any transfers, especially considering CL games this week. I think downgrading Evra is a good shout to free up some funds – I feel money in defenders is getting harder to justify cleansheets are getting harder to come by/predict. I think your initial plan it about right and I reckon save the wildcard till the latter stages of the season, big DGW’s to come!
Thanks mate for your advice.
So you think I should wait until Saturday to make the move on Distin, even knowing his price is rising tonight? I was about to bring him in tonight but I guess it’s too risky with so many injuries already in my team and the midweek games, right?
I’m in the same boat. I’m contemplating Walcott. I’ve also noticed that Michu is starting up front. Or you could just bring in Hazard if you made up the money.
Hi Smithy, no not made the money for Hazard yet – don’t see it happening tbh, much rather look to upgrade Giroud in time. Michu is the man I am keeping my eye on this evening, just not great fixtures for the swans over next few GW apart from Norwich but away to them. Walcott is a shout, you got any Arsenal coverage in the midfield already? Not really a fan of double mid coverage. Have you got Everton coverage?
I have Ramsey, Barkley, Hazard, Morrison and Gerrard. I had Michu before he got injured and was really awful for me. I do like the idea of Walcott and having Ramsey also wouldn’t bother me as everybody has him. I have 9.3m to spend. I’ve thought of Nasri also?
Yeah I would do Nasri mate if you don’t have Yaya, that’s where I would be looking. I luckily didn’t have Michu earlier in the season but many a GW it was a consideration, they just don’t seem the same team as last year and Michu is certainly not the bargain he was last season! I’m really not sure what to do, not overly convinced of Coutinho for FF points, maybe Henderson for a punt, free up some much needed funds too?!
How did you do this week then boss
60 mate – average. How bout you?
You are way above GW average, Cookie 😉 …
Officially HL, but my average is those around me. Actually had my lead cut, which annoyed me.
Get the bid I am……….. this time last year you was suicidal
Ah you remember. This time last season I hated this game – nearly quit!!!
Cookie, mate – seems we have similar problems with our teams…
Gerrard (injured) & Wilson (not playing/getting pts regularly)…
What’s ur decision on Stevie ? Who’s the best replacement ?
Thinking bout Miralas, myself…
HL, not sure mate – Gerrard thrown a big spanner in the works as I was planning on selling Wilson & Remy for Distin & Lukaku. Now I need to deal with Gerrard – still may do the above two and take a hit for Gerrard.
And now I see Evra maybe injured lol
Bottom line I don’t know, will look tomorrow.
The names I am considering for Gerrard are Theo, Michu, Oviedo…..but that could also change.
Spot the confused idiot!
Cookie – had a similar plan myself, mate…
Oviedo is a good differential, however if Stevie G. is gone 4 say 3-4 weeks, Oviedo is not someone I would like to keep for that long…while Mirallas is..
Despite his cameos – Wally seems to be bringing the pts home..though ARS has a tough schedule ahead…so, not sure…
Michu – naaahhhhh….been there, done that… (earlier this season)..though – I’d love him to prove me wrong…
HL – Theo is favourite at the mo, I wanted him for GW18 so may just bite the bullet now.
My other course of action is to get Rooney in for Remy and get a cheaper mid….. Now the Lukaku/Rooney debate has been playing over in my mind for over a week now and I still cannot decide!!!
My head is scrambled. – the only certainty is Distin is rising to tonight!
Yep – Distin is going on 5.2…
I solved the Rooney issue 2 weeks ago…Roo/Kun/Goofy is the lineup for me…
So, not having Lukaku – is forcing me to buy Mirallas…as I said a few days ago to someone here – If I can’t have the best player from one of the most in-form teams who btw has a very good schedule – why not having the 2nd best… 😉 …
Distin & Mirallas for me = for a -4hit !
There, I’ve made up my mind :dance:
I like it HL, just not that convinced by Mirallas.
You happy having the big 3 up top? Does it feel good? Convince me please!!
Cookie- The thing with having Aguero, Suarez and Rooney, is that you have a class striker as captain with at worst a decent fixture. I don’t like captaining players like Remy and Lukaku IMO
I could do:
Evra, Gerrard & Remy out &
Distin, Walcott & Rooney now
4pt hit, nowt in bank…..
Cookie- Do you think Walcott will get the game time to warrant the price tag?
Well, Cookie – I bought Roo just 2 GW’s ago…he then went on and earned himself a 5th yellow…brilliant planning…so, I have not had the chance yet to do the “happy-dance” …I agree with Smithy, too…also, Man Utd has the best schedule (aside from EVE)…
But if u r asking me who ll score more pts between Luk & Roo – till NY – not sure I can answer that question, mate…
I’d be one happy man – if I knew the answer 😉 …
Loving Wally but Arsenal face City and Chelsea next. If Oscar is fit again he is a good shout.
Hmmm! Q. Need to drop Brady?
Good moves cookie monster
Smithy – I think once Wally is playing regularly and gets these next 2 fixtures out of the way, he’ll be worth it. Also only owned by 3.7% of teams – I see that going to 15% by New Year.
Also, it’s easier to downgrade Rooney than it is to upgrade Lukaku.
My other consideration is the way Everton are now playing (like a poor man’s Barca), it may not be that conducive to a big centre-forward – sure he’ll get goals but the likes of Delofeu, Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar, Osman etc may also get their fair share and take some away from the big man.
Cookie – u’ve just justified my Mirallas transfer
…
:beer:
Cookie- I have the big 3 pal! I think Rooney will be the key when Utd turn things around (and they will). Aguero and Suarez are ‘must haves’.
I have Gerrard and need to transfer him out. I like Walcott but feel it’s a couple of weeks to early.
I could curse Rooney, dam totting up ban. Needed him on the pitch
Not touching anything from United. Unless it’s Januzaj, and that would be because he’d be replacing Brady as 5th mid. United are a nightmare to watch.
59 with Curtis Davies playing
Good old Curtis – good luck chap
Hey guys hopefully everyone did ok on game week 15
Anything I need to do
Krul (Henderson)
terry Dawson Chico (Demel and chambers)
Yaya toure hazard Ramsey Amalfitano (brady)
Lukaku Suarez aguero
Was thinking about downgrading terry Chelsea are conceding a lot but terry does get the odd goal?
0 in the bank
Terry is a concern as he is expensive. Who would you bring in?
Hold your transfer this week as Chelsea have Palace at home then swap Terry out for an Everton defender.