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
Vorm apparently need surgery which will render him out for 4-5 weeks.
https://twitter.com/pjcadden/status/410175162688864256
Verthongen could also be out for 4 weeks
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/09/tottenham-jan-vertonghen-christmas
Well, Gerrard getting injured has really messed up my transfer plans. I was all set to drop Giroud for Lukaku this week, but now I’m not sure. If I take a -4 point hit I could bring Lukaku in for Giroud and then have 9.7 left over to replace Gerrard. Or I could bring in Remy for Giroud and have 9.8 left, just enough to afford Hazzard.
What do you think? Bring in Remy and Hazzard for Giroud and Gerrard, or bring in Lukaku and a mid up to 9.7? Or should I just keep Giroud since he’s not injured and only replace Gerrard? And who is the best mid for 9.7 or less in your opinion? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I’m not sure what to do and Giroud is dropping in price tonight. TY!!
Migs (Boruc)
Mertesacker Coleman Vlaar Chester McAuley
Gerrard Ramsey Toure Brady Whittingham
Suarez Giroud Rooney
1 FT
Lukaku is my preferred option to Remy
You have Ramsey so Lukaku and he has a good fixture list
Thanks Ripcurl, that’s what I was thinking too. It would have been nice if I could have afforded Lukaku AND Hazard, but getting Lukaku in for Everton’s good run of games was my plan all along. I’m not going to change that just to get Hazard in. Who do you like for a midfielder under 9.7? Lallana? Coutinho? Lampard? Oscar? Anyone else I might be overlooking?
i have the same situation here. i just about to bring rooney in for remy, but if gerrard really out for a long time, it would be a problem.
i want to suggest coutinho, as he look sharp at the moment, he and suarez are main threat for opponent defender. but with liverpool next fixtures i’m not quiet sure. so oscar or mata would be ideal replacement, since you can’t afford hazard.
but if you’re willing to wait, i’ll go with walcott / ozil after GW 18.
it mean to be reply to redVT
Thanks Desmo, I appreciate it the advice. I think I’m going to drop Giroud for Lukaku as originally planned before the price changes tonight. I might bring someone else in for Gerrard for a -4 point hit later on, or I might just wait and do it next week. Good luck to you with your transfers and I hope you score big points this weekend!
thanks mate, and i just did the same, to avoid price rise, i sold terry then brought dustin, due to everton favorable fixtures. so it’s make sense to bring lukaku.
and to add the option, you might look cabaye (after his ban) and fer. they might be mediocre, but have been consistent recently, like 1 assist / goal each week. that mean some how they’re involved when the team scored.
good luck for the weekend!
Mignolet (Marshall)
Ridgewell, Vlaar, Dawson, Coleman, Rosenior
Drop a defender for Distin which one? Can’t afford if I drop Rosenior or
Mignolet – Howard
Thanks
Rip, I’d drop Vlaar – he’s injured
Vlaar – Distin
Play Marshall or risk Mignolet then
Mignolet – Krul next GW I fancy the doubling up option on Everton and was going to Mignolet – Howard since sat.
Thanks cookie
Rip,
I’d play Marshall
Cookie
I’m also keen to bring Distin in (price is rising tonight). I’ve Vlaar, Clyne and Chiriches (all injured) and Evra (initial planned transfer out)… and Stevie G also to replace. Only 1 ft…
Which would be your advice mate? Wait for Saturday and assume price changes or do any move tonight?
Albertini,
I’d probably look to sell Vlaar mate – I read today that Lambert thinks he’ll be out for a while. Of course, if you can wait for the weekend team news, that’s always preferable, but I am aware Distin is about to rise tonight.
No point selling Evra or any other fit defender when you have 3 injured ones, pal!
Right I’m off to bed – night all!
Thanks mate. I’ll see if I can wait a few days and have some more news on my injury list…
So Vlaar to Distin it is!
Hey fellas…
Can anyone explain to me why Mathieu Debuchy (new) played 82 mins against Man U …having received his 5 yellow card of the season 3 days earlier against Swansea…?
Bigpopz – He already had 5 before the Norwich game in GW 12
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/suspension-report-gameweek-12/