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Fantasy Football Sunday Review

Sunday Review Gameweek 15

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. 37

    Ok I need to stroke the furry walls to calm down.lol

  2. 38
    Raziel says:

    Jagielka or Coleman?

    • 38.1
      The B says:

      Coleman is obvious choice, but Jags is cheaper and gets BPs too without attacking returns.

    • 38.2

      Coleman……more attacking threat

      • Raziel says:

        Thanks mate. Was thinking of replacing Clyne with Coleman and Gerrard with Oscar. Means doubling up on Chelsea mid (Hazard and Oscar). Crystal next though, waiting to see (hear) about Oscar fitness. He should be rested midweek so he’ll probably be a starter against Crystal. Mou does love him. After Wally (arsenal) played both City and Chelsea I might opt to replace either Hazard or Oscar (depending) with Wally. I’m telling ya bitches, I do love my team. laugh

        • The B says:

          I think Distin is the best choice right now.

          Didnt see it, but Jags and Coleman are same price. The boat of both has sailed. Go for Distin.

          6M for Everton defence is almost crazy.

    • 38.3
      Raziel says:

      Best Gerrard replacement? Coutinho, Walcott, Oscar or Michu? In order. When fit I’d say
      1. Walcott
      2. Oscar
      3. Michu
      4. Coutinho (though without Gerrard he’ll gather way more points).

      At the moment I really don’t know where to place them. Michu hasn’t been in form all season, so now after long injury worries. Walcott might be an option, already 2 assists in just 60 minutes playtime. He’s key, Arsenal look much brighter with him. But is he fit enough?? Plus Chelsea and City next. He can score in those games but is it too much of a risk?

      • Demsie says:

        There’s also Mirallas to consider.

        Of course YAYA

        oh and then there’s Silva too (I heard he was back this weekend so maybe have to wait a couple weeks for that one..

        I’m in same boat.. I have ramsey so may not be choosing Wally

        • Demsie says:

          So basically, for me, it’s YAYA or Mirallas. Big Kev would give me funds to upgrqade my defence, so I may be doing that.. Thoughts ?

          I currently have Ramsey Gerrard Lallana Hazard Ravel

          But can afford YAYA by the skin of me teeth

        • Why are people so hesitant to buy Yaya not many people have in in their team????
          He has rewarded me with 84 points from the start as would be 94 but missed first gameweek….

        • The B says:

          I think many people are afraid to double up on City, as all have Aguero already. I think finding solid mids from other teams should be a priority.

        • Demsie says:

          Untouchables..

          It’s a silly reason, but my main rival has him.. so that’s why i’m reluctant.. i’m about to bite the bullet I think.. what do you reckon ?

        • Fair answer as I wont get Oscar is as competitor in ML has him and don’t want to mirror teams,

  3. 39

    no longer cheaper same price now…

  4. 40
    Jolaks says:

    getting back Rooney next gameweek, or keeping Lukaku and spare 3 m somewhere else?

    Krul, Marshall
    Chester, Lovren, Koscielny, Coleman, Vlaar
    Ravel, Ramsey, Nasri, Hazard, Ward Prowse
    Lukaku, Aguero, Suarez

    What do you think ?

    • 40.1
      The B says:

      Id say keep Lukaku. Upcoming fixtures are really nice. If people are ready to double up on Everton’s defence, then i think striker from the team would also be essential.

  5. 41
    Veer says:

    Guys tell me about Oscar. What’s the latest on his injury?

    • 41.1
      Demsie says:

      Veeer.. Are you trying to win the ‘how many different ways can you ask the same question’ competition ?

      By my reckoning, you’re doing pretty well 😉

    • 41.2
      The B says:

      Mou said he was okay, on Friday. But Oscar was rested on weekend. So im guessing he has recovered completely and will be ready to be back for CPL. Mata could repalce injured Schurle and Oscar might return to his favorite position.

  6. 42
    Slow Poison says:

    So after 12 GWs with you guys I can give a short description of what Iv made of most of you:
    The B – We have a similar team but for some reason, I never agree with most of his comments here

    Mito – At 1st he disagreed with everything I said here but later on I found out why… Hes a kid, Im 8 years his senior

    Raz – he makes weird decisions with his team and they mostly dont pay off. He also has a habit of conversing with himself

    Veer – Seems like a pretty calm and relaxed dude, makes fair comments, hes a gunner and a fan of 0zil.

    Potty – 0rganiser, has that competitive edge to him but I never do well in his predictions
    Potty

    Kop – A true supporter of the English nation, a true Liverpool fan, talks about everything England. If I could compare him to any player, it would be Gerrard

    BillBob (hope I got the name right) – Tends to make a lot of rash comments and decisions (Well he is 13)

    PVR – Havent seen much of him but he makes fair comments

    Luis Suarez – Well what more can I add to that? The name says it all

    Aguerooooo – He hates Arsenal and 0zil even more, I think he ignores my comments now coz Im always bringing them up. If I get killed hes the prime suspect

    RVP is overwaited – Have not seen him for a while, not sure where he went, maybe he changed his name… Anyway hes the ultimate gambler. I remember 1 time he bort Torres and captained him, then replaced him with Ba

    Milk & Busquets – Always conversing (or arguing) with Mito, not sure what they have going there…

    Utrxil (Name might be abit off but his grav is a pic of Bender from Futurama) – His grav says everything about him, he makes the same kinda comments that Bender would and hes also a gambler, his team has like on 5 team represented there

    Theres also a guy over here who blames all his screwups on his phone. He always goes “Stupid phone”, Im just not sure if its 1 of the guys I mentioned above or another guy but Il find him

    The others, Im still tryna analyse you but Il give you a report in due time

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