Gameweek 9 saw a massive clash at Stamford Bridge as Manchester United travelled to face a Chelsea side that had enjoyed an excellent start to the season. Elsewhere, high flying Wolves hosted Watford who were looking to pick their form back up after an impressive start. In a vital match at the bottom Newcastle hosted Brighton and Hove Albion. Spurs travelled to West Ham, meanwhile Liverpool faced Huddersfield. Arsenal rounded the week off by facing Leicester at the Emirates. Anyway, here’s the FPL Updates Gameweek 9 Review…
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford – One of England’s heroes in Russia was undoubtedly Everton stopper Jordan Pickford, whose penalty heroics saw England past Columbia in the round of sixteen. He was at it again on Sunday as his Everton side hosted Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. With the scored locked at 0-0, Wilfried Zaha was brought down and a penalty was awarded. However, former Sunderland ‘keeper Pickford stuck out a leg to deny Luka Milivojevic. This gave the Toffees confidence, as they strode towards the final stages…
Defenders
Michael Keane – After Jordan Pickford had denied Palace from the spot, the home side knew they had to step up their game, and Marco Silva made changes. He first brought on Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and the former crossed for the latter to head home with just minutes of normal time remaining, sparking scenes among the Goodison faithful. Then another sub doubled the lead just moments later as Cenk Tosun drilled home through the legs of Wayne Hennessey to seal a precious win.
Antonio Rudiger – There was a massive match at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea hosted former boss José Mourinho and Manchester United. They started well and took the lead when Antonio Rudiger escaped Paul Pogba to power past David De Gea from a corner. However, United turned the game round and looked set to record a priceless victory. However, Ross Barkley slotted am equaliser eight minutes into injury time to spark wild celebrations, and some rather unsavoury action involving the former Blues boss.
Benjamin Mendy – Manchester City found themselves top of the league on goal difference as they came into their home clash with Sean Dyche’s Burnley at Eastlands. Returning to the side was marauding full-back Benjamin Mendy, who was yet again one of the start performers for Pep Guardiola’s side. He helped himself to yet another assist in the Premier League, while his side romped to a 5-0 success. However, Sean Dyche was less than impressed with some decisions that went against his side.
Midfielders
Anthony Martial – The forgotten man at times over the past couple of seasons, Anthony Martial featured in José Mourinho’s starting eleven yet again this season, and repaid his managers faith as he netted a brace to turn the scores around after finding themselves 1-0 down. He first finished well on the turn, before slotting in low shortly after to give the Red Devils a 2-1 lead with just moments of injury time remaining. However, there was a scuffle when the equaliser went in as Mourinho was unhappy with the celebrations of a Chelsea coach.
Fernandinho – Manchester City started well as they hosted Burnley and went in front when Sergio Aguero fired home to complete a nice passing move. They doubled the advantage when David Silva squared for Bernardo Silva to tap home. The game was all but over when Fernandinho scored brilliantly from the edge of the area. The fourth came through Riyad Mahrez, before Leroy Sané rounded off the victory, converting from a Benjamin Mendy cross. Sean Dyche will be glad to move on from this one.
Mesut Ozil – There had been rumours of a move to Turkey in January for Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, however the German reminded Premier League fans of just how much talent he possesses as he ran the show in a 3-1 home win over visiting Leicester City at the Emirates on Monday night. After a slow start, the home faithful were stunned when Hector Bellerin put through his own net. However, Ozil levelled the scores on half time, as he slotted in brilliantly from a Bellerin cross. This seemed to spark something in the Gunners, who weren’t done there.
Etienne Capoue & Abdoulaye Doucouré – Watford were firmly underdogs as they faced one of the league’s in-form sides in Wolves on Saturday afternoon. Despite a strong start themselves the Hornets form had began to drop off in recent weeks, however a brilliant sixty second left the home fans shell-shocked. First, Etienne Capoue hammered home for Javi Gracia’s side, before Roberto Pereyra dinked home less than a minute later. In truth it was quite comfortable for the Hornets, who look to be back on track.
Forwards
Bobby Reid – There was a goal fest in an early relegation six-pointer at the Cardiff City Stadium as Neil Warnock’s side hosted fellow strugglers Fulham. Goals from Josh Murphy and then Bobby Reid turned the game round after Andre Schurrle gave the visitors the lead, however Ryan Sessegnon levelled for Fulham not long after. However, second half strikes from Callum Paterson and Kadeem Harris gave the Bluebirds their first win of the season, much to the delight of their manager. Fulham drop into the bottom three at their expense.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – With the scores level at 1-1 at half time, Arsenal boss Unai Emery decided to introduce Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and the former Borussia Dortmund man proved to be the match winner, as he converted from close range as Hector Bellerin crossed after some brilliant passing play. He scored again in similar fashion as the Gunners scored what was arguably goal of the season so far, as Mesut Ozil stepped over the ball before squaring to Aubameyang after being played through by Alexandre Lacazette.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
