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
ALready done my 2 FT this week, Aguero >> Rooney and Oscar >> Hazard (feel stupid for not doing that last week). My team for this week is:
Mignolet (Vorm)
Coleman Zabaleta Chester (Lovren) (Gabbidon)
Hazard Ramsey Ozil Whittingham (R.Morrison)
Lukaku Rooney Suarez
What do you think?
I like it Veer. Would you look to keep Ozil long-term or trade him in for Walcott ?
Veer – you not think you’re light on City attacking coverage ? Negredo, Silva, Yaya… ?
Team for gameweek 17
Mignolet (Boruc)
Fonte, Coleman, Gabbidon( Rat,Williams)
Silva,Hazard, Ramsey,Yaya Toure ,(Ravel)
Lukaku, Suarez(c),Aguero
1 free transfer any suggestions…..
I’m thinking of switching Lallana to Yaya Touré. Any thoughts? My team is currently:
Marshall (Boruc)
Coleman, Shawcross, Fonte (Gabbidon, Brayford)
Özil, Ramsey, Hazard, Lallana (Morrison)
Negredo, Lukaku, Suárez
Bank 2.8m
Silva ?
I also rate Silva over Yaya. He is more involved in Citys goals, will return more points, is cheaper and less owned. He is also more injury prone and on 4 YC though.
So Ramsey vs hazard who do u think will win ?
Total points or value for money?
Total points
Total points is a close call.
Personally I see no reason, in the long term, not to have both.
Wally bring the factor that could push you to Haz if you had to chose.
JEET – Ramsey for me.
Hmmm, so you’re keeping Ramsey all season? Was considering replacing him with Wally. I’d have Silva, Wally and Hazard. Other thing on my mind was to replace Hazard with Wally, never been a fan. Will also free up more cash to get Rooney instead of Negredo.
Arsenal lost in the cup against Chelsea 0-2 got a felling hazard might score 1 or even 2 against Arsenal my predictions are 2-3 Chelsea
I agree with James JEET4.
There are numerous other factors that should be taken in to consideration if you are making this choice.
Personally I think Hazard will outscore Ramsey in the long run, but if you have no Arsenal cover then Ramsey is a good cheap option. Chelsea cover is hard to choose from though, Hazard is the only real option.
Krul – Harper
Ivan – Evra – Coleman – Shaw – Gabbidon
Hazard – Brady – Ramsey – Cabaye – Ravel
Aguero – Lukaku – Suarez
1 FT, 3.9 itb
Aguero > Rooney
Brady > Silva
Ivan > Chester
Ramsey > Wally
I will do Aguero > Rooney if Aguero is out for several weeks. My question is; should I also bring in Silva this week for a hit? With Citys goalscoring he could easily repay thos -4, but he is also on 4 YC…
Anyone willing to offer their opinion on this? Silva worth getting in for a hit? Would bench either Shaw or Gabbidon if I bring him in.
Migs (given)
coleman, terry, zabaleta, gabbidon (turner)
hazard, ramsey, yaya, lallana (ravel)
suarez, lukaku (aguero)
2FT and nothing in the bank
Kun ———> Rooney or Negredo
Lallana ———-> Walcott (think that one will only be possible if you free up cash from Kun transfer, maybe it works with getting Negredo?).
ok, still gonna wait for news on his injury, got him for 11 mil sodont want to loose a mil for 2 weeks. was thinking lallana to cabaye, then yyt to silva.
i already have arsenal coverage with ramsey, dont think ill risk double arsenal mid. might go for
terry—>mert
lallana—-> cabaye
what dya think?
With RvP out I’m just gonna go for Rooney. He’ll be the main man for a somewhat weak squad. He’s still uber though. Geez, just wished the bought some creativity at the start of the season.
Actually Rooney played vs Villa as a midfielder most likely on Scholes positions unfortunately. But I think that it is not Moyes decision just Rooney has a free role, so he decide what to do?