Scout Notes – Gameweek 8 – Saturday

Sergio Aguero explodes back into life with five goals from open play to blitz a bewildered Newcastle side and reward his patient Fantasy owners. While City eased their way to three points, Chelsea’s obliging backline capitulated as Southampton exposed and punished Jose Mourinho’s champions at the Bridge. Crystal Palace and Leicester maintained their strong start to the campaign, while Dimitri Payet’s consistency was again on show as he helped West Ham rally to earn a point at the Stadium of Light. Here’s all the notes from Saturday’s events…

Aguero Runs Riot

Sergio Aguero silenced his naysayers with a transcendental display of finishing prowess at the Etihad, netting five goals in a breathless 20-minute period as the Sky Blues ran out 6-1 victors over Newcastle United. With two excellent home ties (BOU, NOR) and a trip to Aston Villa on the agenda over the next four Gameweeks, Aguero is sure to dominate our captains poll for the foreseeable future, with non-owners clamouring to recruit the red-hot Argentine. Even at 13.2 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), it’s difficult to argue against the merits of the City striker given the explosive nature of his points scoring in this City outfit.

Although somewhat overshadowed by his teammate’s goal frenzy, Kevin De Bruyne was also outstanding once again, serving up a goal and a brace of assists. With three goals and two assists in his last three league starts, the Belgium international has taken little time at all to acclimatise to the Premier League and rose to 10.3 overnight; not even Aguero has earned more new owners than De Bruyne since Saturday’s 11.45 deadline. Much of that transfer traffic has arrived courtesy of Yaya Toure’s no-show due to a hamstring complaint: a large portion of the Ivorian’s 23 % ownership will have been heading the way of De Bruyne.

David Silva marked his first start since Gameweek 4 with a pair of assists, bringing his tally up to six for the campaign. Sitting at just 11.3% ownership in the wake of a three-week layoff, the twinkle-toed Spaniard has drawn just one blank in five outings, underlining his supreme consistency. Jesus Navas and Fernandinho also grabbed assists amid the chaos.

On the defensive front, City looked far from secure in the first period and were fortunate not to be punished further. Pablo Zabaleta reclaimed his starting berth ahead of Bacary Sagna, much to the disappointment of the Frenchman’s 15% ownership. With Vincent Kompany in the treatment room and Gael Clichy’s imminent return heightening Aleksandar Kolarov’s risk of rotation, the Sky Blues’ rearguard could cause further headaches for investors in the coming weeks.

Magpies Sink to the Basement

Despite taking the lead through an Aleksandar Mitrovic header, Newcastle were powerless to prevent their fourth defeat in five matches. Steve McClaren has now tasted victory on just two occasions in his last 21 games in charge of both the Toon and Derby County – inspiring little confidence in the Tyneside outfit’s Fantasy prospects.

Newcastle have subsequently dropped to the bottom of the table. However, McClaren’s side do enjoy an excellent run of fixtures through to Gameweek 15 (NOR, sun, STO, bou, LEI, cry), affording Mitrovic a fine opportunity to generate some goalscoring momentum. Georginio Wijnaldum – who supplied the assist for Mitrovic – also piques our interest over that stretch. The Rotterdam-born midfielder is the Magpies’ top scorer (two goals) and has been their most impressive performer by some margin this campaign. His compatriot, Daryl Janmaat, is another who could tempt investment given those fixtures and the apparent lack of assured clean sheets on offer elsewhere.

Cabaye Inspires Eagles Victory

The Eagles rose to third in the league courtesy of a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Yannick Bolasie opened the scoring (his first home goal for 1005 days) after 68 minutes with a header from a Yohan Cabaye cross, before the Frenchman double the hosts’ advantage in the final minute from the penalty spot. Cabaye now boasts two goals and one assist in his previous two outings and looks like a strong investment ahead of two agreeable fixtures (WHU, lei).

Favoured ahead of Bakary Sako – who’s a clear rotation risk with the competition for places on Palace’s flanks – Wilfried Zaha (5.4) earned Cabaye’s spot-kick and turned out a man-of-the-match performance, lining him up for further starts in the coming weeks.

Having recorded just two cleans sheets in their last 21 league outings prior to the Baggies’ visit, the Eagles claimed their second successive shut-out. Considering that they now face off against the two teams tied second for goals scored (17) this term, a repeat performance over the next couple of Gameweeks looks unlikely.

Travelling Baggies Breached At Last

For the first time this season, the West Brom defence was breached on the road. Their quest to maintain a flawless away record wasn’t helped by the withdrawal of centre-back Jonny Evans, who suffered a hamstring injury at the 23-minute mark. Nonetheless, the 28,000 Fantasy managers who recruited Craig Dawson in the lead up to this Gameweek will retain their optimism as the West Midlanders gear up for an enticing trio of match-ups (SUN, nor, LEI).

Surprisingly, Tony Pulis opted to hook Saido Berahino and replace him with midfielder Craig Gardener at the break, in a bizarre tactical change. The 6.2-priced forward netted two goals in as many outings and appeared to present an alluring route into West Brom’s attack during for their forthcoming run of fixtures. However, despite Pulis acknowledging post-match that Salomon Rondon was struggling with fatigue, it was Berahino who was sacrificed, casting continued doubt over the striker’s potential as a low-to-mid price Fantasy asset.

Potters Clinch Back-To-Back Wins

Winless through the first six Gameweeks, Stoke City are now two for two following a 1-0 road victory over Aston Villa. Marko Arnautovic inflicted the damage with his second goal of the campaign, having been thwarted by the offside flag earlier in the encounter. The Austrian winger has delivered attacking returns (one goal and two assists) in his previous three leagues starts and could serve as a profitable differential during Stoke’s upcoming trio of matches (swa, WAT, new).

At the eighth time of asking, Jack Butland’s 8% ownership were rewarded with a first clean sheet of the season. In spite of the Potter’s poor defensive record this campaign, forthcoming fixtures against Newcastle and Watford, following a trip to Swansea, will likely see Butland’s owners hold with some optimism of further returns.

Tactical Tweaks Fail to Fire Toothless Villa

Aston Villa slipped further into the abyss with their fourth successive defeat. Tim Sherwood elected to switch to a 3-5-2 set-up, which left no room for Jack Grealish in the starting line-up. The former Spurs boss’intention was to provide better service for the aerially dominant Rudy Gestede through marauding full-back play, but this failed experiment lead to the reversion to a four-man defence in the second half with the introduction of Grealish.

The Villains have now accrued just the solitary point in their past seven league matches, losing six and drawing one over that period. Their situation could get worse before it gets better, given that Chelsea, Swansea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Everton await Sherwood’s beleaguered troops in the next five Gameweeks.

Murray Miss Denies Cherries Win

Glenn Murray delighted and frustrated his 3000 new owners in equal measures as Bournemouth were held to a 1-1 draw on home turf. The 5.6-priced frontman – who led the line in light of Callum Wilson’s long-term injury layoff – opened the scoring after 28 minutes but saw his penalty saved six minutes from time.

Significantly, Murray immediately assumed spot-kick duties in Wilson’s absence, ahead of Matt Ritchie. Murray’s miss could now put those duties in doubt, however. Nonetheless, Sergio Aguero was the only forward who amassed more attempts (eight compared to six) and shots on target (five to four) than Murray during Saturday’s action, indicating that he could now emerge as an attractive budget pick-up.

Ritchie claimed his first assist of the campaign, complementing the spectacular goal he scored in Gameweek 6. The Scotland international bagged 15 goals in the Championship last term but has struggled to exert his influence in the top tier. Ritchie’s chief concern – which discourages investment in the 5.7-priced midfielder – is his paucity of clear-cut chances, given that only four of his 18 shots so far this term have come from within the penalty area.

At the back, Artur Boruc’s calamitous error for Watford’s equaliser could yet have implications for future team selections. Eddie Howe’s has refused to blame his Polish keeper for the goal but doubts will now arise on Boruc’s security with Adam Federici waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

Gomes and Ighalo Make A Point

Odion Ighalo’s eagerly snapped up his fourth goal in as many matches following Boruc’s blunder. The 5.2-priced marksman has attracted 250,000 new owners in the past couple of Gameweeks but now faces a challenging run of fixtures through to Gameweek 13 (ARS, sto, WHU, lei MUN). If Watford are to make an impression in those matches, Ighalo will be a key figure – he’s now scored their last five league goals.

Heurelho Gomes was undoubtedly the star man for the Hornets, coupling his penalty save with a sublime stop from Steve Cook’s acrobatic effort. The Brazilian keeper ultimately scooped nine points for his impressive performance at the Vitality Stadium and goes into today’s matches as the top ranked keeper in the FPL.

Foxes Win Without Mahrez

Leicester City maintained their unbeaten record on the road with a 2-1 win over Norwich City. Riyad Mahrez’s omission from the starting lineup was the main talking point prior to kick-off, with 54% of managers lamenting Claudio Ranieri’s return to type as the “Tinkerman”.

The Italian boss later explained his reasoning when the dust had settled at Carrow Road, saying that he wanted to counter Norwich’s strength on the flanks with the extra defensive qualities that Christian Fuchs and Jeffrey Schlupp provided on the left flank. Mahrez’s huge ownership will now keenly await Leiciester’s next teamsheet to ascertain whether this was a one-time affair of a sign of things to come from Ranieri.

In term of the Foxes’ attacking output, Jamie Vardy won and converted a spot-kick to card his sixth goal in five matches. The 6.6-priced striker welcomed 500,000 new owners in the lead up to Gameweek 8 and should attract another wave of investors ahead of a quintet of promising match-ups (sou, CRY, wba, WAT, new).

Schlupp delivered his first attacking returns of the season with Leicester’s second goal of the afternoon. The Ghanaian full-back will clearly benefit should he retain a left-flank role but remains over-priced at 5.0 when you consider that the East Midlands club have failed to keep a single clean sheet and rank fourth for goals conceded (15).

Mbokani off he Mark For Canaries

Brought on just before the hour mark for the recalled Matt Jarvis, Dieumerci Mbokani – courtesy of a Jonny Howson assist – netted his first goal for Norwich to offer the home side hope of a comeback. Considering that Cameron Jerome has tallied just one goal in eight appearances, Mbokani (5.7), who also struck the bar, might well expect to be earn his first start when they travel to St James’ Park in Gameweek 9.

For the second week running, the 8% owned Nathan Redmond had to settle for a substitute role, emerging from the bench five minutes into the second half. Despite the fact that the England U21 international has twice netted in cameo appearances this term, continued FPL sales could be on the cards given the lack of security he currently offers.

Payet Inspires Hammers Comeback

West Ham recovered from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw at Sunderland. Dimitri Payet gleefully restored parity with his fourth goal of the season following a Costel Pantilimon error, meaning he’s drawn blanks in just two league ties since his switch to the Premier League. Payet duly gained maximum FPL bonus points for the third time in four outings and goes into Sunday’s matches topping the midfield rankings.

Furthermore, the France international has been directly involved in 14 goals (five goals and nine assists) across his last 16 outings with the Hammers and Marseille. Pitted against Palace and Chelsea’s ailing defence in the next two Gameweeks, the 8.0-priced midfielder will fancy his chances of providing further contributions with his ownership continuing to rise.

Carl Jenkinson brought the Irons back into the tie with a rare goal, while Victor Moses and Manuel Lanzini kept their tallies ticking over with an assist apiece. The Chelsea loanee has been particularly effective in Slaven Bilic’s system – bagging one goal and two assists in four starts – but has now been withdrawn before the hour mark in each of his previous three outings.

Sunderland Cling To A Point

The Black Cats graced the scoresheet for the first time in four matches, with Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens doing the honours. Having scored with a sublime finish and returned in five of his eight league outings, Lens stands out as an intriguing differential at 6.5, yet the Netherlands international was sent off for two careless yellow-card offences and will now sit out the trip to the Hawthorns in Gameweek 9. Yann M’Vila (5.0) notched assists for both Sunderland goals but is unlikely to invite much interest by virtue of his deep-lying enforcer role.

Slick Saints Punish Ailing Blues Backline

Southampton compounded Chelsea’s miserable start to the campaign with a 3-1 victory over the champions at Stamford Bridge. Graziano Pelle (one goal and two assists) and Sadio Mane (one goal and assist) produced attacking returns for the third Gameweek in succession – highlighting the south-coast club’s improvement in attacking quarters – while Steven Davis got the ball rolling with an equaliser just before half time.

Pelle (five goals and assists) and Mane (two goals and five assists) have been in superb form through the first eight Gameweeks yet possess relatively modest ownerships (Pelle: 17%: Mane: 5%). Dusan Tadic was also unfortunate to emerge from the Bridge without returns following another impressive display. That trio’s case for investment is bolstered by the fact that Southampton embark on a favourable quintet of matches (LEI, liv, BOU, sun, STO) through to Gameweek 14.

Chelsea Defence Exposed Again

Willian’s expertly curled free-kick after 10 minutes proved to be little consolation as Chelsea slumped to their third loss in five matches. Eden Hazard picked up the assist for the Brazilian’s strike but proved largely ineffectual, chalking up just one shot and two key passes. The Blues as a unit registered their first shot in the second half at the 77-minute mark, epitomising the staccato nature of their attack.

At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea ineptitude continues to defy expectations. Jose Mourinho’s men have shipped at least two goals in all but one of their league clashes this season, with only Sunderland (18 goals conceded) laying claim to a worse record (17). Stamford Bridge was a fortress in the previous campaign (no side tallied more than their 11 home shut-outs), but Chelsea have conceded the same number of goals in their last four home ties (seven) than they did in the 17 before that.

Mourinho’s decision to restore skipper John Terry to his defence failed to inspire any improvement. Indeed, Terry looked badly exposed to the pace of Mane, while Pelle’s physical presence also disturbed the once robust Terry-Cahill partnership. Kurt Zouma’s demotion to the bench looks unlikely to be maintained for the visit of Aston Villa next time out; that now looks a crucial encounter for Mourinho and his side.