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
Pottys in
Anyone sold Aguero yet?????
Now I did not now he was due a injury but….
Potty sold him ahead of Mwk 14 to create cash for the Xmas mayhem and look at these figures…
Aguero (Mwk 14 – Mwk 16)
6-6-5=17
I bought
Lukaku (Mwk 14 – Mwk 16)
5-5-5=15
Surprising eh???? Only down by 2 points and I ain’t forced into a transfer now.
Pottys World does work
Potty
Sold him tonight PottyBoy for Rooney
Great stuff Potty. Now step into mine lol
Potty – I’m mulling it over as we speak,i might make it early just to get it over and done with.
Really close to the Aguero > Negredo move. Just not sold on Rooney at that price lately. Anyone talk me out of it?
Colriles – I just had a look at your squad,could you afford Aguero&Brady >> Rooney&Silva?? You have a fortune in the kitty,now could be the time to use it,and you have 2FT’s too…in fact,those are the exact moves i would do,if affordable of course,it should be close anyway
Sorry meant to reply here.
Thanks NIN. I’ve only got the 1 FT but willing to take the -4 since prior plan was to bring in Silva this GW. Just have a gut feeling about staying away from Rooney.
Any need to deal with Cahill or Boruc this week u reckon, or just focus on Kun?
Colriles – Aha,i was looking at the wrong GW haha,silly me.I’d deal with Aguero first for sure,super premium player so he needs to be sorted first i think,Negredo&Walcott sounds delightful..
I wish i could afford those moves!! Haha.
Cheers. Thanks for the thoughts NIN.
Okay, quiet a big question here, is this an improvement or am I just having mad notions?
Current Team:
Marshell (Harper)
Distin – Jagielka – Mertsacker (Baker) (Faye)
Fer – Yaya – Ramsey – Ozil (Shelvey)
Lukaku – Suarez – Aguero
Team after Wildcard:
Myhill (Marshell)
Coleman – Mertsacker – Zabaleta (Flanagan, Gabbidon)
Ozil – Silva – Walcott – Januzaj (Bannan)
Suarez – Negredo – Lukaku
What do ye think?
RoLfc1 – In my opinion if you changed Ozil for someone cheaper,Oscar maybe,and use the funds to upgrade Bannan or Januzaj then it would be a significant improvement.
Thanks a million for the reply mate,
Last draft opinion
Gazzaniga(Marshell)
Coleman – Mertsacker – Zabaleta (Flanagan, Gabbidon)
Silva – Ramsey – Walcott – Nasri – Fer
Surez – Remy – Lukaku
Not quite sure what to do with myself now to be honest? Think this team is stronger?
RoLfc1 – I think a Chelsea mid in place of Nasri would do the trick,Oscar,or Hazard if you can afford him,and bring Negredo back for Remy,i think it’s more balanced that way,it has the makings of a nice squad.
Okay after making the changes to bring in a Chel Mid and Negredo
Gazzaniga(Marshell)
Coleman – Mertsacker – Zabaleta (Chester, Gabbidon)
Silva – Ramsey – Walcott – Oscar – Januzaj
Surez – Negredo – Lukaku
So many teams haha, you reckon this is the best choice then?
RoLfc1 – Yes,i really like it to be honest,logging off now,good luck.
Just because I think Chelsea are really struggling, I’d tell you to go Cabaye over Oscar and change Janujaz back to Fer. If you’ve cash left over possibly upgrade Chester again, I’d also personally go for Speroni alongside Marshall, Crystal Palace have shown real resilience of late, people doubted me saying Chelsea would struggle, but they did, even at home. Pulis is working his magic.
Rolfi prefered yr initial wildcard. Looked lik a gud balance. My ideal wud be ozil walcott however-ozil is very pricey for what u get. Id look at oscar/hazard but oscar for 8.8 sounds gud
Thanks NIN. I’ve only got the 1 FT but willing to take the -4 since prior plan was to bring in Silva this GW. Just have a gut feeling about staying away from Rooney.
Any need to deal with Cahill or Boruc this week u reckon, or just focus on Kun?
Guys should I go ahead with Aguero >> Rooney as my second FT? Aguero’s price is about to drop.
Wait I forgot, should I transfer in Negredo instead? And how long is Aguero out for?
I’m not sure there was anything conclusive yet about Aguero
I did the transfer to Rooney
A up bubbles. Its the end question. I put a bit of a pro cons earlier. Ive gone rooney. Im not happy tho. I want my kun! Welbeck worries me about wazza tho
Why didn’t Aguero drop…?
I already have Coleman and Ridgewell but now who do I select from these 3.
B.Turner – Liv’pool (A)
Cahill – Arsenal (A)
Rat – Man U (A)
Draw straws?
I would stay away from anyone facing Suarez though
good point Serndipity….I’d prob go Cahill on the basis he may, just may, nick a goal !!!