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
Where is Jovetic in the calculations? is he likely to step into Aguero’s shoes? Or dzeko?
Erm… How comes Aguero didn’t drop last night? Seems I rushed into an unnecessary decision! (8 pt hit)
Me too. just 4pts hit but hope I don’t regret it
Did the same last night, bought Rooney. Who did you guys buy for Aguero ?
Cookie? Been up all night mate?
I have mate Raz, trying to plan our Christmas schedule just for you – you’re a tough man to keep happy….
I’m considering a move for Rooney Cookie. Wait on Wally till he’s played Chelsea. If Rooney doesn’t work out the week after I can either do Ramsey to Wally and ROoney to Negredo. Or I could swap in Wally for Hazard. Never liked Hazard, have him but that’s all. 😛
Sighs, never make it personal. 😛
Hmmm just noticed. I think Kun didn’t drop tonight. Am I right?
I bought Negredo. It was tough to decide between him, Rooney or a cheaper fwd (even considered Welbeck) but I thought Negredo was safer and with the money left I can buy Silva or Wally in the next days for one of my Arnies or Amalfitanos. Good moves mate?
Sounds good to me ALbertini.
Cheers mate, we’ll see how it works.
A little bit concerned with Negredo’s game time, with Dzeko and Jovetic ready to step into the starting XI but I think he’ll be the first choice for the next games and that’s what I need.
Still uncertain what my choice will be. Either Kun to ROoney. Or Kun to Negredo and Ramsey to Walcott. Is a hard one. Negredo should play all games and now Kun is out he could be their main target, at least I hope he will be.
I already have Silva and I want Wally. Wally scores 2 against City so he can score against Chelsea (they have a utter shite defense).
Everything depends on how many hits you want to take. I already used my FT to replace Kos with Coleman. Replacing Kun will cost me 4 and if I do replace a mid for Wally another 4. Maybe I’ll just wait, on the other hand, Wally is on fire. Also, I already have SIlva and with Kun out I think he’s role might bigger even.
I wouldn’t take more than one hit, unless strictly necessary. Not at this point so close to Jan WC. Walcott can of course score one or two against Chelsea, it depends on who are you going to ditch for him.
You’re right. I think instead of dropping Kun for Negredo I’m gonna go with Rooney. That way I’ll stay clear of another hit. Will be -4. I can go with Wally the week after. I like the idea of having Negredo but I also already have Silva as City coverage.
If I already had Silva I’d go for Rooney, for sure. Go for it!
Just did mate. Trigger finger. I could’ve waited, lol. 😉
I bought Negredo. Was either him or Rooney. I also did Gerrard to Walcott ….. Not too sure about that move especially as they face Chelsea next.
Fuck. Messed up my agenda. Figured I had an appointment set and I did but wrong person and wrong time. I’m gonna get an asswooping now.
Sweating like a MOFO now.
On that note, I have 2 free hours now. WHOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I should mess up more often.
Though if I mess up more often I’d lose every job I ever get. Hmmmm. Even in the pron bus guys have to be reliable. Which says a lot. 😛
Cech (Given)
M.Olsson, Chester, Distin (B.Turner, Fonte)
Ramsey, Shelvey, Hazard, Toure (Bacuna)
Aguero, Suarez, Remy
What move would you say is better?
Aguero & Olsson OUT for Rooney & Zabaleta
Aguero & Shelvey OUT for Negredo & Walcott
Or something different? Cheers
So my team is
Howard daniels
Daswon distin chester clyne vlaar
Nasri hazard ramsey oviedo ravel
Rooney aguero suarez
1.4m in the bank and 1ft
So looking at
Aguero nasri and ramsey to negredo silva and walcott for a 8 point hit and 1.2m left over
Or
Aguero and nasri to negredo and silva 4 point hit and 2.9m in the bank
Or
Aguero nasri and oviedo to negredo silva and mirallas/lallana for a 8 point hit and 0.1 in the bank
So basically aguero and nasri are out for negredo and silva… fine taking a 8 point hit for 1 more player… think mirallas might be worth the punt with his fixtures coming up…
Thoughts??
If I take a 16 point hit my team can be
Howars daniels
Dawson distin chester clyne vlaar
Silva oscar walcott cabaye ravel
Rooney suarez negredo
0.0 in the bank
Fuck I wish haha… hate playing with optoons sometimes
Shep, Shep, Shep…calm down my friend….don’t take an 8pt hit this close to using your Jan wildcard ! Crazy moves – 4pt hit maybe, to cover important injuries, but an 8pt hit you will regret, in my opinion.
Nasri is not a bad option away to Fulham, is Walcott essential this week ?
Haha just enjoy messing with my team too much mate
Negredo and silva in for nasri and aguerp is set in stone… think im just going to leave it at that
Silva can play like a 2nd striker sometimes…
So next week do you think ramsey to wally is worth spending my 2.9m in the bank on? Only got ramsey in recently so not losing too much on him
Shep, I’m not disagreeing with the moves, just not sure you should take a hit to sell Nasri for Silva – Nasri was off the clock on Saturday and could easily go well again at Fulham….
True but watching silva in hus last 2 games he was great… I feel he is a must have
Think my transfers are done for this week. Now to see who to spend my 2.9m in the bank on next week
But its horrible having so much money just sitting there in the bank
Shep, if you feel he’s a must then you should go with your gut mate.
Walcott from next week prob a good plan too, at this stage
Cheers for the advise Cookie