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
What do you think of
Aguero –> Negredo
Ramsey –> Wally
Decent moves I think.
Good Choice doing the same…..
Opted that one but would’ve cost me 2 hits. So I went with Kun to Rooney instead. Something in my tells Mou will lock up the defense in his encounter with Arsenal. A boring 0-0 or 1-0 in the making.
Its always possible, but I was saying that weeks ago Raz. It hasnt happened……LUIZ!
Does anyone know why Fonte was left out of starting 11 and if this is likely to happen again?
Dunno, dropped him a few weeks back though. Had both Clyne and Fonte. Neither are playing as of late. If I recall correctly there was some issue why he was not playing. On the other hand, bad results maybe trainer want to try something else. Hooiveld not better though.
Raz, how are you? Oh and I’ve 2 things I’d like your opinion on:
1) Rooney or Negredo?
2) Which two of: Özil, Oscar and Walcott?
Bearing in mind form, fixtures, Welbeck and coverage…
Don’t tell me you have Welbeck…
Of course not! I’m offended.. nah, I meant that Welbeck seems to be playing the more advanced role over Rooney
What do you think? 2 simple yet agonising questions
1) Negredo. Scroll down the page and look at one of my comments to see why.
2) Oscar and Wally.
1) I personally prefer rooney over negredo, simply because all of man utd attacks will involve rooney as rvp is out, and city can easily play 2up front with dzeko or jovetic, if you need the extra cash I would do negredo.
2)I prefer Oscar and walcott, its nice to spread your mids across different teams instead of relying on just arsenal, what if arsenal have a bad game ? Oscar should eventually start scoring decent points, no doubt ozil is class but in fantasy there are better options.
Went for Negredo over Rooney, didn’t have the guts to go with a short-term punt on Hooper. Not as nice fixtures, but better points/min per cost for Negredo over Rooney, likely playing further up with a stronger midfield. Could be good if Man City just play one up front instead of pairing with Dzeko or Jovetic. Good shooting stats.
I went with Negredo as he was getting consistent game time anyway and with Aguero gone he should be City’s main striker.
The situation on Koscielny and Vlaar injuries? Any news ?
Guys
Amalfitano to Cabaye
Or
Ramsey to Walcott
MF at mo is Ramsey Yaya Ravel Hazard and Amalfitano on bench
cheers