Scout Notes – Gameweek 4 – Saturday

Diego Costa grabs a hat-trick as Chelsea’s 100% record continues with a victory over the Swans. Graziano Pelle bags a brace as Southampton consign Alan Pardew to misery, Sergio Aguero nets again as City earn a draw at the Emirates, Spurs’ Nacer Chadli strikes his third of the season at Sunderland, while Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku fire Everton to the points at the Hawthorns.

Costa and Cesc Run Riot
Chelsea’s summer signings continue to make the difference for Jose Mourinho and Fantasy managers alike. For the second week running, Costa shrugged off a hamstring problem to deliver a devastating points haul. A superb hat-trick against Swansea took his tally to an incredible seven goals in just four appearances. Fabregas’ pair of assists means he has already produced six since the start of the season, and while the Blues back-line seem incapable of delivering clean sheets, their two La Liga acquisitions look irresistible options in the final third. Eden Hazard owners, though, may be reconsidering their options after the Belgian failed to get amongst the points, leaving his tally at one goal and a single assist thus far.

Pelle at the Double
Southampton’s summer signing looks to have settled into scoring form at St Mary’s, after netting twice in a comfortable home win over Newcastle. Pelle had scored in each of his side’s last two matches in all competitions and took advantage of a backline that shipped three to Palace last time around – at just 7.5, he has a trip to Swansea and three very favourable home fixtures (QPR, SUN, STO) in the next five to maintain his rise to Fantasy prominence. While Dusan Tadic earned just an assist, Morgan Schneiderlin continues to looks revitalised under Ronald Koeman – the 5.6-priced midfielder grabbed his third goal of the campaign, already bettering last term’s two-goal haul.

Wilshere Sparks Gunners
A goal and assist from the England international helped Arsenal come from behind to secure a home draw with City. Handed his third start of the season in the centre of the park, Wilshere’s appeal is somewhat limited given the numerous options available in the Gunners midfield though at 6.4, with a 4% ownership, he could be one to consider for those shopping on a budget. Alexis Sanchez’ second consecutive strike and Aaron Ramsey’s assist kept their points ticking over as Arsene Wenger’s side prepare to head to Villa next weekend. Danny Welbeck missed a gilt-edged opportunity to score a debut goal and was eventually withdrawn late on – Arsene Wenger confirmed post-match that his departure was due to cramp.

Debuchy Blow Revives Chambers
Elsewhere, the injury to Mathieu Debuchy looks set to bring Calum Chambers back onto our radars. The Frenchman suffered an ankle sprain in the second period, with Arsene Wenger sounding pessimistic in his post-match analysis. Chambers would be the obvious beneficiary of any term of absence for Debuchy and would present potential value at 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. Arsenal are, however, yet to keep a clean sheet this season and their back-four has looked vulnerable. With Spurs and Chelsea in the next three, this is perhaps not a time to take a gamble on Wenger’s rearguard.

Aguero in the Goals Again
The Argentine struck for the third time in four appearances in yesterday’s lunchtime encounter at the Emirates. Aguero atoned for the Gameweek 3 blank at home to Stoke by netting the opener, and having also scored against Newcastle and Liverpool, looks in bloom as the champions prepare for a crucial Etihad clash with Chelsea. With Stevan Jovetic out through injury yesterday, Edin Dzeko owners were dealt a blow as the Bosnian warmed the City bench in a 4-2-3-1 set-up – even though Manuel Pellegrini had just two fit strikers to choose from, then, it seems Dzeko’s pitch time is under question. Elsewhere, Yaya Toure was preserved in yesterday’s encounter due to international exertions and City’s looming Champions League tie in Munich.

Chadli Stands Out
It’s three goals in as many appearances for the Belgian after he bagged an early opener in yesterday’s draw at Sunderland. Owned by less than 5% of FPL managers, Chadli strengthened his claim as the most appealing route into Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking midfield trio. Although Christian Eriksen – who was fielded centrally yesterday – also got amongst the goals, Chadli’s 6.1 price tag looks tempting as Spurs welcome West Brom, Southampton and Newcastle to the Lane in the next five Gameweeks.

Black Cats Middle Men Come Good
Seb Larsson picked up the Fantasy returns for the third time in four Gameweeks as Sunderland fought back to claim a point against Spurs. The Swede now has a goal and two assists to his name so far, though Adam Johnson’s strike also brought the wide man onto our radars ahead of a trip to Burnley and back-to-back home clashes with Swansea and Stoke in the next three. Steven Fletcher was omitted from the squad for tactical reasons, allowing Connor Wickham the lone forward role as Gus Poyet reshuffled his side in order to accommodate new boy Ricardo Alvarez on the flank.

Ulloa Fires Foxes to Victory
While strike partner David Nugent continues to toil for the Championship winners, Leicester’s summer signing from Brighton seems tailor-made for the top-flight. Leonardo Ulloa’s winner at Stoke takes his tally to three goals already – having netted against Everton and Arsenal, he clearly has no regard for big reputations and brought the Potters back down to earth with a bang, after Mark Hughes’ side had grabbed victory at City in the previous Gameweek. Up next for the 5.5 budget forward is a home clash against United, and with Palace, Burnley and Newcastle also on his schedule in the next four, Ulloa looks primed for points in the coming weeks.

Belgian Toffees in the Goals
Kevin Mirallas scored for the second successive match as Everton chalked up their first win of the season against West Brom. Romelu Lukaku opened his account for the campaign, while at the back, Leighton Baines served a reminder of his points potential by grabbing an assist and clean sheet against the Baggies. A home clash with Palace looks promising next, though as Roberto Martinez’ side face testing trips to Liverpool and United immediately after, many may choose to leave their investment until the schedule softens up from Gameweek 8.

Clarets Defence Holds Steady
Burnley picked up a second consecutive clean sheet yesterday after a goalless draw at Palace. Having kept out United in Gameweek 3, Sean Dyche’s side are starting to arrive on our radars as potential budget backline options, and with showdowns against Sunderland, West Brom, Leicester and West Ham, Michael Duff, at 4.0, looks one to consider – he’s now earned a couple of bonus points from each of those shut-outs.

Were it not for Scott Arfield’s missed spot-kick, the Clarets could have won all three points. The 5.0 midfield option assumed penalty duties with Danny Ings off the pitch – the striker picking up a hamstring injury in the first half. As expected, George Boyd earned a full 90 minutes for Burnley – the club’s record signing clearly presents a viable option as a midfield “enabler” given his lowly 4.4 price tag.

Resilient Villa Stun Anfield
Gabby Agbonlahor’s early winner helped Paul Lambert’s side up to second with a 1-0 win at Liverpool. After four rounds of matches, Villa have conceded just a single goal, with yesterday’s win all the more impressive given that captain Ron Vlaar missed out with a calf complaint. As their performance suggests, the Midlands side have the form to overcome their fixtures right now, though with Arsenal, City, Chelsea and Everton in the next four, the schedule remains a real deterrent.

Sterling Protected in Reds Loss
One of the favourites for this week’s Captain Poll, the Liverpool youngster was afforded just 30 minutes by Brendan Rodgers. Yesterday’s omission from the starting XI is somewhat disconcerting for Sterling’s owners – over 299,000 FPL managers drafted him in prior to the weekend deadline but, having featured for England last week, Sterling’s minutes are clearly being managed by his manager. With the Champions League also set to commence this week, Rodgers may start to rotate more often in order to cope with the schedule.