Gameweek 13 would kick-off with a Friday night fixture as Leicester City travelled to the Olympic Stadium full of hope given West Ham’s poor start to the season. David Moyes was looking to halt a run of terrible form that has seen the Hammers fall into the bottom three. Two newly-promoted sides would face stern tests as Brighton travelled North to Manchester while Huddersfield hosted league-leaders Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. The other newly-promoted side, Newcastle, would host a Watford side that had scored at least twice in all their away games this season. Anyway, here’s the Gameweek 13 FPL Review…
Goalkeeper
Lukasz Fabianski – Swansea City found themselves with somewhat of a must-win game on Saturday as they hosted AFC Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium. Having only recorded two wins so far in the Premier League, pressure was beginning to mount on boss Paul Clement, with several sections of the Swans fanbase losing faith in the former Bayern, Real Madrid and Chelsea assistant. In a game that swung both ways, it was Swansea who were left angered when Wilfried Bony fired into the top corner, only for the referee to signal for a foul in the build-up. Paul Clement spoke of his anger afterwards, describing the referee’s performance as “poor”.
Defenders
Marvin Zeegelaar – Watford travelled to Newcastle on Saturday knowing that the Magpies would be a tough nut to crack at St. James’ Park. What followed stunned the fans inside, as Watford ran away as 3-0 winners, after turning in the kind of away performance that has seen so many plaudits for boss Marco Silva, who has reportedly been subject to several offers from Everton to take over as manager following Ronald Koeman’s sacking. Dutch fullback Marvin Zeegelaar made just his second appearance in a Watford shirt, and picked up his first and second assists, turning in a man of the match display down the left flank. There’s sure to be more interest in one of the Premier League’s hottest managerial properties.
Mamadou Sakho – Crystal Palace hauled themselves to within three points of safety in the Premier League as they came back from a goal down to take all three points as they hosted Mark Hughes’s Stoke City side at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Having gone a goal down in the second half, Roy Hodgson’s side rallied and produced a magnificent comeback to give the home faithful yet more hope of survival this season. Summer signing from Liverpool, Mamadou Sakho, was the hero as he pounced at the back post to spark pandemonium among the home fans. They now face matches against Brighton, Bournemouth and West Brom, with Roy Hodgson’s side starting to hit their stride in the league.
Kyle Naughton – Swansea City know they will need to improve drastically as they try to avoid the drop. They were dealt a blow prior to the match on Saturday as newly-capped England forward Tammy Abraham was struggling to be fit with injury. The forward was able to come on for five minutes from the subs bench, but was unable to snatch a winner for his side. The major talking point from the match was undoubtedly Ki Sung-Yueng’s push on the referee, for which he was awarded just a yellow card, which left Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and his side incensed, as they looked to take all three points back down South.
Laurent Koscielny – Arsenal made the long trek north to face a Burnley side infamously difficult to beat at Turf Moor. The Clarets lived up to that billing as they frustrated the North London side, who looked to bounce back from defeat against Cologne in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Sean Dyche’s side weren’t troubled massively by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, who had scored late to beat Burnley on each of their last two meetings, one of which was a controversial late winner at Turf Moor from Laurent Koscielny. The Frenchmen and his fellow defenders were rarely troubled by Burnley, and were able to grab a winner late on.
Ryan Bertrand – Southampton have enjoyed a wretched time at home in recent months, with goals having been hard to come by. They would have been looking forward to the visit of David Unsworth’s Everton though, with the Toffees still stewing over a five-goal drubbing at the hands of Italian side Atalanta in midweek at Goodison Park. It wouldn’t get much better for the Unsworth’s side as they were dismantled down the left on several occasions, with Ryan Bertrand running riot. He could have recorded more than one assist in truth. However, the Saints were at their flowing best…
Midfielders
Marc Albrighton – Leicester City made the journey to London on Friday night to face a struggling West Ham United, as they headed into their second match under the newly-appointed David Moyes, who went in search of his first points as boss. Having been on the wrong end of an impressive display from Watford last week, Moyes would have been disappointed to see his side go a goal down when Marc Albrighton slid past Joe Hart to give the Foxes the lead. West Ham wouldn’t be denied, though, and found an equaliser on the stroke of half time as Cheikhou Kouyate headed home into the far corner in a crowded penalty area. In a second half of few chances, both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
Raheem Sterling – Manchester City travelled to Huddersfield on Sunday afternoon with many fans expecting an easy victory, especially given Huddersfield’s recent results. However, City were reminded that David Wagner’s side were the one of just two teams to beat rivals Manchester United (Chelsea the other). They went a goal up when Christopher Schindler’s header bounced in off Nicolas Otamendi. However, City responded quickly as they levelled from the spot just two minutes into the second half through Sergio Aguero. As the minutes ticked away, City won it when the ball ricocheted off Raheem Sterling’s knee and into the far corner, to the delight of Pep Guardiola.
Dusan Tadic – One man that Southampton fans have been especially disappointed by this campaign had been Serbian midfielder Dusan Tadic. He returned to form as the Saints put four past a poor Everton side, adding to calls for the Toffees to appoint a permanent replacement for Ronald Koeman. Tadic opened the scoring when he was put through by Ryan Bertrand, before sliding in past the onrushing Jordan Pickford. This settled the nerves, until Everton struck back out of nothing when Gylfi Sigurdsson curled in off the cross bar on the stroke of half time. However, Southampton wouldn’t be denied…
Alexis Sanchez – Last time Arsenal met Burnley, it was Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez that would decide the contest when he dinked in a penalty eight minutes into injury time. That goal gave Arsenal three points on the day, and he would do the same on Sunday afternoon, as he was once again ice-cold from the spot. After a tight affair which seemed to be headed for a draw, Arsenal would have a chance from the spot when Aaron Ramsey was pushed to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot, much to the anger of Sean Dyche and the Burnley fans. However, it wasn’t to be for the Clarets, as Sanchez smashed home to give the Gunners all three points.
Forwards
Charlie Austin – One of the Premier League’s most potent forwards a few seasons ago, many would have thought it was just the beginning for Charlie Austin, however injuries and other striking options have meant he has had to wait for opportunities at St. Mary’s with Southampton. He was the hero on a rare start with a brace at 1-1 to thrust Southampton towards a vital win. With the score level, he headed home brilliantly from a Ryan Bertrand cross from the left in off the underside of the bar. Just minutes later the former QPR hero would repeat the feat when he headed into the bottom corner, this time Tadic the provider. Steven Davis added gloss to the score with a good strike from the edge of the box late on. A brilliant win for Saints.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
