Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd
Man Utd were dealt a huge blow midweek with the news that Robin van Persie would be side-lined for about a month with a thigh injury. Aston Villa were without the influential Fabien Delph who was serving a one game suspension and the Villains were hoping to end their abysmal home run against Utd, their last league win against Utd was 18 years ago. Sadly for Villa after just 18 minutes of play they found themselves two nil down thanks to Danny Welbeck. The first came after Adnan Januzaj had hit the post and Welbeck was first on hand to slot home, the second came three minutes later following great work from Antonio Valencia down the right who produced a pinpoint cross into the path of Welbeck to convert. Man Utd keep up the pressure in the first half and both Welbeck and Wayne Rooney came close to increasing the lead. Villa on the other hand failed to test David de Gea. The second half was a feisty affair, de Gea and Gabriel Agbonlahor had a handbags moment shortly after the re-start which resulted in both being booked. Agbonlahor will therefore miss Villas next fixture away at Stoke. Utd kept up the pressure and were rewarded on 52 minutes when Tom Cleverley (yes that is correct!) finished off a Wayne Rooney assist to make it three nil. Mathew Lowton was the next name in the referee’s book when he caught Januzaj and shortly afterwards Utd supporters rose in unison to welcome the return of Darren Fletcher following serious illness. Rooney was unfortunate when he found himself clean through only for the referee to bring play back following more handbags by Welbeck and Nathan Baker. The remainder of the match just petered out with no more clear cut chances, Villas Ciaran Clark was booked and Christian Benteke was missing in action again and is clearly short of confidence. Man Utd will take some positives from this result, three crucial points, a comfortable win and signs that when they attack down the flanks the Red Devils can be a handful, Villa though will be very concerned with their poor run of form.
Bonus points: Welbeck (3) Cleverley (2) Jones & Valencia (1)
Norwich 1-1 Swansea
This intriguing encounter at Carrow Road saw Swansea without the industrious Chico Flores who was suspended and the home side were without their influential midfield pair of Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington due to injury. Fantasy managers were hoping this game would be as action-packed as the previous six meetings which have produced 25 goals and the signs at first were promising when Nathan Dyer put Swansea ahead on 12 minutes following a great passage of play from Ashley Williams. Michu should have doubled the lead but took a wild stab and saw his effort sail over the bar. The turning point in the first half came shortly after Dyer was stretchered off the field with a nasty ankle injury, when deep into stoppage time Johan Elmander found Gary Hooper and the former Celtic Forward unleashed a 25 yard volley that gave Michel Vorm no chance. The second half was a messy affair, Swansea were frustrated by The Canaries and picked up silly yellow cards, Angel Rangel, Michel Vorm and Jose Canas were all booked by the referee. Hooper was denied late on following great work by Leroy Fer and Michael Turner headed against the bar. Norwich will be disappointed not to have taken all three points, they were denied by the woodwork and outstanding goalkeeping by Vorm.
Bonus points: Hooper (3) Dyer & Williams (2)
Tottenham 0-5 Liverpool
Sundays stand out game was the visit of Liverpool to White Hart Lane who had their captain Steven Gerrard missing due to injury. Spurs had enjoyed a small run of form but have won only one of their last five home league matches. The first 45 minutes showed a side to Liverpool that has been lacking away from Anfield. They were relentless at times against Spurs, Phillipe Coutinho had a great chance after just 2 minutes following good work from Liverpool’s Stand in Captain Luis Suarez but the Brazilian scuffed his shot. Liverpools passing was played at a high tempo and was slick and they broke through the Spurs defence on 18 minutes when, following a period of extended pressure, Michael Dawson lost possession to Jordan Henderson and his pass found Suarez who obliged with a brilliantly well placed finish. Liverpool now had the bit between their teeth and Coutinho saw an effort hit the crossbar and Spurs were then forced into an early substitution when Sandro retired injured. To compound his departure more sustained pressure from Liverpool saw Henderson calmly volleying into the goal for Liverpool’s second after an effort by Suarez had been saved. Just before the break Simon Mignolet was fortunate when an effort by Roberto Soldado was disallowed following a shoulder barge. The second half performance by Liverpool showcased their potential, and the result was devastating to Spurs. Goals from Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling and Suarez were no more than Liverpool deserved and Spurs’ job was made all the harder when Paulinho was red carded in the 63rd minute for a foul on Suarez. The standout performance has to go to Suarez, 2 goals and three assists says it all, the home fans had long gone as the sound of You’ll Never Walk Alone reverberated around White Hart Lane. The result moves The Reds up to 2nd place, just 2 points off top spot. Sensational!
Bonus points: Suarez (3) Henderson (2) Flanagan (1)
This article was written by Eddy
Right, following a panicked 8 point hit last night I’m after some reassurance so positive comments only please (only kidding, I’m after real opinions!)
Mignolet – McGregor
Coleman – Chico – Gabbidon – Koscielny – Chambers
Silva – Oscar – Ramsey – Shelvey – Cabaye
Negredo – Suarez – Lukaku
Last night I got in Negredo, Silva and Gabbidon for Aguero, Brady and Ivanovic.
Wanted Walcott in really but chickend out and went for Silva but I’m considering Walcott still, would need to be for Ramsey or Oscar though. I’m tempted to hold off till next week,take another 4 point hit and ship out Shelvey for Walcott and downgrade Mignolet for Kelvin Davies who I hope to be back by then… Sound like a good idea, or FPL suicide?
Saosin – 8 point hit’s are always scary,it’s very hard to make it back with profit and hold rank,or move up so i’d definitely shy away from another hit straight away,doing two 4 hits in a row is dodgy enough,an 8 and a 4 is excessive in my opinion,i like your transfers though,Chelsea’s defence has become a nightmare for FF managers and Brady has been useless since his injury so they’re good moves i think, just be careful about another hit after an 8 pointer,if you see Mito around ask him about point hits/rank drops,it’s substantial and hard to make back so be careful,(i’m currently on a back to back 4 hit,dodgy).
Cheers NIN, think I’d be .1 off walcott anyway so I think I’m gonna stick with my team, hopefully bank 2 fts and then get walcott in 2 GWs time.
Morning all
People who captained Suarez had an early Christmas bonus I see…. :worthy:
The Untouchables – Yep,i’m just pretending it didn’t happen,Luis who??? Haha.
98 will do me for now….lol
#scoresandassistswhenhewants
Kicking myself for changing my captain from Suarez to Aguero in Friday night AAAAGHH!!
woulda scored 92 if I left Suarez.
I changed from Lukaku to Suarez late in the night… :bouncy-balls:
Logging off now,it’s poker time!!! Happy tinkering.
Just used my 2 FTs to do Negredo for Aguero and Silva for Lallana so heres my provisional GW 17 team:
Myhill (Boruc)
Rat, Coleman, Ridgewell (Cahill, B.Turner)
Ozil, Silva(vc), Hazard, Ramsey (Ravel)
Negredo, Lukaku, Suarez(c)
Slow how did you week go all well i hope?
Untouchables
I captained Lukaku instead of Suarez. Bummer… Ended up with 54 points
Nice team Slow, you considering getting Walcott in for Özil anytime soon?
Like The B would say: I”d rather sell my Liver” lol
Could people give me their opinions on Wayne Rooney?
I’m reluctant to bring him in, Manchester United still look awful, despite their 3-0 win yesterday. He is, however, involved in about 75% of United’s goals so if they do have a good game or pull anything out of the bag, then it’s likely him that will do it.
This has all come about due to the Aguero injury, and I’m personally looking to do Aguero and Coutinho (punt didn’t pull off, despite his stats) out, with Negredo and Silva coming in. Walcott in next week.
Hey flingy, I’m having the same issue myself, who’s preferable between Rooney and Negredo.
Rooney is integral to a weak Utd side, he takes corners, free-kicks, and as you pointed out, is involved in the mayority of Utds goals.
Negredo, however, is merely one of many class players. He is not an integral part of City, since they because of their many good players, will have several goalscorers and assisters (I believe only Silva can be expected to be involved in most of Citys goals).
Therefore Utd can score 3 goals, with Rooney not unlikely to get 1 goal and 2 assists, while City can score 6 goals, with Negredo possibly only getting 1 goal.
This makes Rooney the better option in my book, with the only thing in favor of Negredo being his price tag. Negredo could also be rotated with Dzeko if City starts playing with 1 striker in Agueros absence, while Rooney is guaranteed to play.
I think I’ll bring in Rooney.
Tekno-kun,
I’ve just made my move. Looking ahead I’d like Silva and Negredo. They have consecutive home fixtures over Christmas and it’s apparent City trounce whoever they play at home.
I’m still not sold on Rooney, and if anything comes forth to prove me wrong in up until January for the WC I’ll have a chance to get him.
I brought Coutinho in for a reason, looking at MoTD again I see he had numerous unlucky attempts and probably should have had either an assist or a goal. He’s only been in my team a week and has a fixture against Cardiff at home. For the moment I’ve done Ramsey out and Walcott in, and Aguero out for Negredo coming in. Walcott will carry on his return with a goal or two against Chelsea, they’re awful defensively.
Let me know what you decide!