It wasn’t a weekend for the usual superstars in England’s Premier League but there were some fine performances from a couple of select individuals.
Star Players
Charlie Adam – Blackpool> – midfielder – 10.5m; 11 points Blackpool’s Scottish midfield dynamo has been arguably the biggest surprise of the Fantasy season with his return for coaches. But his two-goal performance in the 2-2 draw with Blackburn took the cake, piling on a weekend-best 11 points. Great value.
David Luiz – Chelsea> – striker – 7.2m; 9 points The new Stamford Bridge cult hero scored his side’s opening goal and helped keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Manchester City. Given his January arrival, David Luiz is nicely priced and could be a good pick-up as Chelsea find form late in the season.
Dimitar Berbatov – Manchester United – striker – 20.5m; 7 points The Bulgarian striker only came off the bench in the second-half but he continues to produce the goods for the Red Devils with the late winner in the 1-0 victory over Bolton. Berbatov has proved to be a Fantasy gun this season.
Disappointments
Joe Hart – Manchester City – goalkeeper – 9.5m; -2 points There’s no doubt the England goalkeeper has been the best shot-stopper in the Fantasy game this season and while he wasn’t at fault for either of the goals in Manchester City’s 2-0 loss at Chelsea, he did register minus two for the game. It is harsh but we’ve come to expect better.
Fabricio Coloccini – Newcastle – defender – 5.1m; -2 points Newcastle’s big centre-half isn’t owned by too many coaches, but to be fair, few of the Magpies defenders are. The point is they conceded four goals at Stoke City which was a surprise and fairly disappointing. Coloccini’s return equated to minus two points. Add to that, your scribe may have him in his team.
Carlos Tevez – Manchester City – striker – 21m; 0 points The popular Argentine striker missed Sunday’s clash with Chelsea due to a groin injury. Tevez is owned by 10% of Fantasy coaches so his absence was painful, particularly after it was revealed he wanted to play but was withdrawn by medical staff.
Special mentions
Goalkeepers
Petr Cech – Chelsea – 11m; 7 points (keeping more clean sheets much to delight of 10% of owners)
Edwin van der Sar – Manchester United – 10.7m; 7 points (consistently good)
Wayne Hennessey – Wolverhampton> – 4.2m; 7 points (cheap, but won’t produce every week)
Defenders
Danny Higginbotham – Stoke City – 5.7m; 11 points (did it all in big win)
Seamus Coleman – Everton> – 5.7m; 9 points (consistent and good value)
Midfielders
Wolverhampton:Matthew Jarvis – Wolverhampton> – 10.4m; 9 points (good player, England call-up)
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