My friend from my schooldays Aasim was my head-to-head opposition in gameweek 19. More games had been called off and I was once again approaching the gameweek in an ambiguous manner. Back at around gameweek 17 I was going to use my 'Wildcard' this week, as the first wildcard expired just before gameweek 20 began, but in the fallout from gameweek 18 there was an announcement.
Numerous people made complaints to the FPL Twitter account about the fact that the Premier League's late postponement of Aston Villa and Burnley. This was of course beyond the FPL admins' control, but many were to be rewarded for their effort. They asked for another 'Free Hit' bonus chip...and surprisingly they got it. I was as shocked as anyone else, I had never seen the FPL make such a huge decision. The new free hit comes into place from gameweek 20, but if you still have your old one, then you cannot use them in consecutive weeks. I was bittersweet, had this happened earlier I would have used the free hit rather than taking a points hit last time around, although I won my head-to-head that week. I duly decided to delay using my wildcard till just before the gameweek 20 deadline and I used my first free hit instead.
With Liverpool and Leeds being one of the games that were called off, that meant a third of my team was out from just that match, though I would not have used the Leeds players anyway. So many things were running through my head, but in the end with so much money at my disposal with the Liverpool men not having a game, I really could pick anyone that actually had a match that was going ahead. Aasim as I was expecting also used his free hit, this was going to be a war.
I made a change at the 11th hour before the kick off on Boxing Day. I had Heung-min Son as my captain, but switched to Kevin De Bruyne who I had just brought in. It looked like this was a great decision as before I had even started watching the game De Bruyne gave Manchester City the lead against Leicester after just 7 minutes. Riyad Mahrez added a second for Pep Guardiola's men, before another City player I brought in Ilkay Gundogan made it 3-0. As Joao Cancelo crossed the ball for the 3rd and Kasper Schmeichel got a hand on it, Cancelo got a 'fantasy' assist, Aasim had Cancelo also. Meanwhile at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; Son had an effort saved by Jack Butland, then a little later on Harry Kane put them ahead against Crystal Palace. I had drafted Kane in as he usually scores on Boxing Day and as he netted against Liverpool, I chanced that he could finally come into form. The Eagles were soon to be down to 10 men as Wilfried Zaha decided to throw Emerson Royal down in an audition for vince McMahon and was given a second yellow. I was flying in the first half and looked like I was heading for a straightforward victory.
Football however is indeed a game of two halves, and the second hardly went my way. After being 4-0 up Manchester City got complacent and Leicester did not just pull 1 back they made it 4-3. The first goal was scored by someone I was bringing in James Maddison, and he also got a fantasy assist for Kelechi Iheanacho's second goal as his shot came off the bar before the Nigerian hit the back of the net. City went on to win 6-3. There was a blank for Bernardo Silva who Aasim had. I had opted for Conor Gallagher over Maddison and was left with my head in my hands as Gallagher was taken off as Spurs went on to beat Palace 3-0, so there was no point in them risking him for what was a damaged limitations exercise. Son scored the third goal, it was not a differential though as my opposition had him too. Arsenal strolled to a 5-0 triumph away at Norwich and the second half cut me deep. Up front Aasim had Alexandre Lacazette and he assisted Bukayo Saka's second goal and additionally converted from the penalty spot. I thought I was going to get away with Emile Smith Rowe being on the bench, but he came on and scored to give Aasim yet more points. This was the third time in a row Smith Rowe had scored off the bench. Along with Aaron Ramsdale's clean sheet this game saw Aasim eat handsomely with his Gunners treble. At the London Stadium in the other 3pm game; Southampton got a 3-2 win against West Ham. the second goal was a penalty by James Ward-Prowse and the spot-kick was won by Armando Broja. Broja got booked also for what must have been dissent in appealing for the decision.
I had great fear before the 5.30pm contest between Aston Villa and Chelsea as Aasim had Reece James and Mason Mount. Things however started well as James scored an own goal to give Villa the lead. Mount was heavily involved and in the first half he curled one just over from a wide position. In the second half when it would have been easier to score, he shot into the side netting after turning Emiliano Martinez, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Without a contribution from Mount, Chelsea won 3-1 nonetheless as Jorginho scored two penalties. Sadly there was a blank for me from Ollie Watkins, but getting away with just 2 points between James and Mount seemed like daylight robbery.
The late game was between Brighton and Brentford at the Amex Stadium. I was nervous as I was bold and went for the Brighton double up at the back. I already had Robert Sanchez but I transferred in Tariq Lamptey at the back. The Seagulls went on to win 2-0, but they were some scares especially in the second period. Sanchez had to make a great save with his legs to deny Shandon Baptiste. Sanchez was again to the rescue after almost injuring himself when his body hit the post as he dived to save a header from Ethan Pinnock. Routinely as always there was a caveat, and Aasim had Marc Cucurella in his team with his free hit and he took maximum points after making a superb goal-line clearance. At Sunday's conclusion I led 63-50, but Aasim had Cristiano Ronaldo left and he was his captain...
So to Monday. I was hoping Ronaldo did not find the net or it would be curtains for me as Newcastle hosted Manchester United. In the end fortunately for me Ronaldo did nothing but get booked and look at Marcus Rashford like he was something he had stepped on. To be honest he could have seen red for his challenge as Newcastle were dominant but were denied victory by a second half Edinson Cavani goal. Alain Saint-Maximin had produced a great solo effort to give the Magpies the lead. So I was able to hold out for the win, I had partially conceded defeat beforehand as I believed the Portuguese legend was bounce to score when I messaged Aasim.
So since my loss to Sam, I have now won five on-the-trot and stay in 5th place in the Justice League. I have also moved into the top 70k in the world and I top 6 classic leagues. Long may the winning run continue, as gameweek 20 is my last chance to use my first wildcard, hopefully the FPL gods will be with me when I make my changes.
@DubulDee
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