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
Any advice people
Mignolet (Boruc Injured)
Coleman,Williams,Rat (Fonte,Gabbidon)
Ramsey,Hazard( C),Yaya Toure,Gerrard injured ,( Ravel in if Gerrard does not play)
Lukaku Aguero Suarez
Do you guys think is time for Ming to go and possibly Howard instead??
Untouchables
Not the craziest idea in the world. Doubling up on Everton could pay massive rewards over the next 8/9 weeks.
I have Coleman and Barkley currently but I’m bringing in Mirallas this week.
+1
Trio of SOU done well for me…18+points sometimes, don’t know weather to double up with Everton deffence bring in Distin or to shift Mig and bring in Howard ……Any thoughts?.
Untouchables
I would bring on Howard for Migs in your case.
Untouchables bringing in Howard is not a good move for you. Howard is on 4 yellows and you have no back up keeper, hate to see you waste two transfers on keepers in a mater of 2-3 GW’s. If you had a back up playing I would say risk it. You can take a chance he won’t pick up his fourth, but it could backfire quickly if he gets suspended.
My plan this week is to save my FT, so Im giving Cahill 1 last chance against Palace. Having said that, heres my preliminary GW 16 team:
Myhill (Boruc)
Coleman, Cahill Ridgewell (B.Turner, Rat)
Ozil, Hazard(c), Ramsey, Ravel (Lallana)
Aguero, Lukaku(vc), Suarez
Looks solid mate have you benched Rat by choice or do you think too injured to play?
Im in the dark about Rat so until I know whats happening Il just bench him… This is a preliminary team, I could change my mind later on
any thoughts on my team selection or my plans?
Could you post your team. I have a prob here I can see all your leagues, transfers etc but it doesnt show your team this stupid phone
Mignolet (Boruc Injured)
Coleman,Williams,Rat (Fonte,Gabbidon)
Ramsey,Hazard( C),Yaya Toure,Gerrard injured ,( Ravel in if Gerrard does not play)
Lukaku Aguero Suarez
Do you guys think is time for Ming to go and possibly Howard instead??
Just answered on your other post.
That could work. Everton have good fixtures ahead whereas Liverpool have Spurs, Man City & Chelsea ahead (ALL AWAY)
I don’t think he likes your answer 😉
Mito cant locate your post??
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/sunday-review-gameweek-15/comment-page-3/#comment-13092
I know which is why Distin was my other plan, guess hoping Howard wont get yellow from now X-mas is a little too risky. Thanks for taking off my beer goggles much appreciated.
Are you sure about doubling up on WB? WB’s away form is quite poor and im not so confident about going bonkers for the backline of the team.
With decent run of fixtures of Everton, i think bringing in Mirallas wouldnt hurt too much in place of Lallana. I want Mirallas too, but i cant afford him sadly unless i take a hit.
Hi All,
Need some advice/RMT
Mig
Dawson, Chester, Distin
Nasri, Ramsey, Hazard, Amalfitano
Rooney, Aguero, Suarez
Subs: Daniels, Clyne, Vlaar, Ravel
1.0M in the bank 1FT
So PRAYING that Silva drops (5.3% away) or Nasri increases (79.9% away) so I can do Silva to Narsi when he is back.
What are your thoughts on Amalfitnao? Think he is worth a punt with West Brom’s fixtures coming up or should I get rid of him? If so for who? I would have 5.1M (or 5.0M depending on the Silva situation) to spend.
Shep,
I am hearing Silva is very likely to be back available this weekend, therefore I would assume you’re preferred price movements are unlikely to happen.
Just so frustrating if Silva doesnt drop, he is 5% away… so im still praying haha
Else I think I will sell Amalfitano as well and do it next week (so I have 2FT) but who would you recommend that is under 5M? Oviedo? Bannan? Bacuna?
Oviedo seems a decent call for a few weeks, until Baines is back, Shep
Thinking that as well. But hearing Baines will be back by Xmas and he is recovering well above schedule.
Think its worth a 4 point hit? Will decide on Friday though or Sat morning if Silva hasnt dropped
So far this season 8 Green Flags – 6 Red Flags
Guys any advice on my team? Should i save FT?
McGregor – (Marshall)
Coleman – Chico – Collins – (Dawson – Ward)
Hazard – Ozil – Ramsey – Sesse – (Lucas)
Aguero – Lukaku – Suarez
I have 0M in the bank so cant bring in Mirallas for Sesse, and also Sesse has good fixtures coming up, the next two at least.
Have you considered selling Ozil ?
NEVERRRR
You’d never sell Ozil B ? Ever ?
Cookie, if i need to improve other areas of my team, id rather sell my kidney for that, but not Ozil.
Idk about the kidney part but I also would never go with selling Mesut… Altho I was rather frustrated with him a few weeks back and contemplated it but luckily I came back to my senses and didnt do it
B, please don’t sell your kidney, I would fell awfully responsible, Kop would hate you even more and I think even Mesut would understand…..
How much can one get for a kidney these days ?
With a kidney, you can afford 3 Ozils in your team. Do consider it Demsie.
Don’t do it failed sold Ozil for Hazard Egg in my face.
I think your team is set strong in all areas with your line up I would save…only thing I would change is possibly Mc Gregor with Marshall..
Mignolet (Boruc Injured)
Coleman,Williams,Rat (Fonte,Gabbidon)
Ramsey,Hazard( C),Yaya Toure,Gerrard injured ,( Ravel in if Gerrard does not play)
Lukaku Aguero Suarez
Do you guys think is time for Ming to go and possibly Howard instead or Rat out Distin in??
Sound advice, but i think Hull is better at home. 4 CSs for McGregor in home games, while Cardiff has only kept 2 in home games. Also i think Stoke is an easier opponent.
I think you should keep Migs. Liverpool has Cardiff, Hull and Stoke in next 6 GWs where Migs will be essential. Also Distin is cheaper than Howard, so the common sense tells you that go for the cheaper one, as both will offer almost same rewards.
You should look out for how long Gerrard is out though as well.
Fair answer,
keeping an eye of that only problem is I have to act on Distin today before price rise or I can’t get in unless I ship out Fonte which i’m not too keen on…any news of Gerrard ??
No solid news yet, but there have been worries in the team about coping without Gerrard. Its just giving an indication that Gerrard might be out till Christmas.
But thats just a rough estimate from my side, probably only in my imaginations.
Liverpool also have Spurs, Man City & Chelsea ahead (ALL AWAY)