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Fantasy Football Sunday Review

Sunday Review Gameweek 15

By FF247 on 538 Comments

Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa  

sidwell_2759309bThe 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  

everton goalNext 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

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538 Comments

  1. Morning boys. Morning Cockie.
    Quick flying visit whilst still recovering from the weekend. Good stuff Eddy. Always appreciated. So Im considering the following-Clyne/Gerrard/Kasami out for either McCauley/Moxey/Sissoko/Redmond. Im just looking at 1 transfer.
    Will be on later so may ask again.

    Ps. Still reigning potty champ-still better than cookie (morally) smile

  2. Current team:
    Marshall [Given]
    Ward Flanagan Coleman [Baker Brayford]
    Lallana Ramsey Gerrard Cabaye [Ravel]
    RVP Aguero Suarez

    2ft 0m in the bank

    Cabaye is banned so Ravel will come back in, Baker in for Ward who travel to Stamford Bridge
    Gerrard injured and RVP lacking fitness, form, willing to stay at ManU
    Will use the jan wildcard to rid Given, Brayford and maybe Baker.

    Any suggestions welcome.

    • photek

      I think you need the WC to rebalance your team or consider that RVP would only really be worth his price if he was in the form of last year and the year before. He isn’t so I’d advise dropping him as there are so many alternatives who are doing the business. Even Rooney if you feel you need the Man U coverage.

      I’d advise Trying to upgrade Lallana or Cabaye to Hazard with the freed up funds.

  3. Guys need some help Who should I captain

    A – HAZARD
    B – LUKUKU
    C – AGUERO

    • Jeet i think it has to be Hazard out of those 3 just on fixtures.
      Aguero great at home but Arsenal is a tough game. Altho also at home and against Fulham, Luka not in the best of form, goal scoring wise.

    • Gut says Hazard this week….

  4. HOW ARE YOU DOING IN YOUR WORK LEAGUES?

    Simple question. Placement and points difference from leader if not you.

    • I’m in 2 (two different orgs)

      Current org. Top spot. Leading by 20.

      Previous org. Top spot. Leading by 91.

    • James..

      I’m doing terribly. Am 3rd in my league and can’t seem to make up any ground. Topped off by not capping Suarez during that midweek bonanza I’m about 100 points behind.

      Starting to panic that I can’t make this ground up.

      In fact i’m very scared

      • 100 points over 20 something game weeks?

        You can easy make that up mate!

    • I’m in 2 also

      Current org. 2nd 9 pts off the lead

      previous org. 1st leading by 25

    • I’m in a league with my friends (9 of us), I’m first by 191 points…

    • I am at top of my table but 105 and Williams yet to play….Difference for me is Suarez and Yaya Toure stuck with them form the start had Sturridge before Suarez came back.

      • Dominant! Good work mate.

        • Thanks 101 bearing in mind i missed out first week with the Double GW, :alert:

          how you doing yourself?

        • Happy so far. Just keeping it simple. Creeping up the overall rankings…

        • Do you think is possible to compete in FF247 for top 4 missing first GW?

        • Yes.

          Tough though.

          But in context you missed 1 week out if 38 right? So about 2.5%.

        • In fact. While I wouldn’t advise anyone to do it on purpose, I’m sure my average score for weeks 2-5 would be better if I missed GW 1, and had a chance to see starters, formations, etc before I picked my players.

          So I reckon you are at a disadvantage, but not as bad as some would assume.

        • Was not tactile just bad timing.lol

    • James, I am like 60 points ahead in my work league! But I am talking about the FF247 fantasy cricket league. Since no one on my other job plays fpl, cricket is my work league.

      • That’s a pity mate. Though tbh the real competition is here.

  5. Oscar owners, what’s the latest news?
    Will he start this weekend?
    Is he still a regular starter?

  6. I’m in 2 also

    Current org. 2nd 9 pts off the lead

    previous org. 1st leading by 25

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