My opponent this week was my good friend Kojo. He had been playing FPL for awhile but this was his first season he had participated in the 'Justice League' and he was doing quite well.
My team needed changes but I was not too sure of what I wanted to do, bar the fact I wanted Jack Grealish in my team. The issue was I did not want to sell any of my midfielders. My Brighton duo of Kaoru Mitoma and Alexis MacAllister were doing well and James Maddison was coming up against Bournemouth at home, so I expected him to deliver. My other two midfielders were Liverpool's Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo and despite having tough opposition in the leaders Arsenal, I thought they would both return for me. Salah always scores against the Gunners and Gakpo had low ownership and I did not want to miss out if he did something. With all this in mind I decided to stick with my team and give Salah the captaincy. Kojo's only transfer was to bring in Reece James for Craig Dawson, Marcus Rashford was his choice of captain.
The action began early on Saturday as Manchester United played Everton. The Red Devils had early chances but Jordan Pickford kept them at bay including stooping a great chance for Rashford. Scott McTominay gave United the lead with a good close range finish meaning he must have had his Scotland shirt on underneath his United one. Erik ten Hag's men went on to win 2-0, Rashford did not score the second but he assisted it for Antony Martial. Getting away with just an assist from a man who had been in great form you have to take that I suppose. However Kojo also had David De Gea meaning more precious clean sheet points.
In the 3pm's Aston Villa continued their great run with a 2-0 home triumph over Nottingham Forest. Bertrand Traore who I had no idea was even back at Villa until he scored last week got the first, and the man in-form Ollie Watkins scored yet again, I really need to get Watkins in my team before his run ends. This result gave me clean sheet points from Tyrone Mings. In a match that was hard to predict a result in before kick-off; Brentford and Newcastle clashed at the G-Tech stadium. Ivan Toney is very rarely a differential for me in a head-to-head contest but that was the case here. So you can imagine my anguish when he had an early goal chalked off. The Bees were then to get a penalty after Sven Botman almost speared Kevin Schade to concede it. Toney however was to miss his first-ever penalty for Brentford, my anguish had now turned to slow torture. Thomas Frank's men were to get another penalty as the WWE auditions continued when Rico Henry was claymore-kicked by Alexander Isak. Toney just about scored as Nick Pope dived the right way. In the second half the Magpies were to takeover and went on to win 2-1. The first goal was an own goal by my keeper David Raya as the nightmare continued as he was deducted points just like Toney. Isak won the game redeeming himself with a very good finish from around the edge of the box.
One of the reasons I had recently got the aforementioned Maddison back into my team was specifically for their home game against Bournemouth. I expected a goal contribution not knowing he would contribute in the winning goal for the visitors. Maddison's poor back pass was seized on by Phillip Billing and the Cherries walked away with a precious three points. Maddison had a second half shot tipped over that was goalbound but all in all his return to my team has been underwhelming thus far. Tottenham usually have a hard time against Brighton and this clash was no different. Heung-min Son who has been missing for most of the campaign gave Spurs the lead with a tremendous strike. Then the controversy started. Mitoma who Kojo and I both had scored but it was ruled out due to a handball. The decision was a little harsh as it was closer to his shoulder. Lewis Dunk levelled from a Solly March corner, as March continues to stack points in April. Then MacAllister, another Seagulls midfielder that Kojo and I both had was next to have a goal disallowed for handball. Danny Welbeck's shot struck the World Cup winner and despite him not knowing too much about it the goal was chalked off. It was again harsh as the ball seemed to more go in off of his hip more than his arm. Both managers were then sent off as old Italian foes Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi clashed on the sideline over who makes the better lasagne. Brighton were yet again robbed as Mitoma was upended by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but somehow a penalty was not given. The officials and VAR at Stockley Park definitely received a brown paper bag from Daniel Levy. Spurs were to steal three points as 'repo man' Hojbjerg found Harry Kane who finished clinically as it ended 2-1.
Wolves beat Chelsea 1-0 thanks to the sweetest of strikes from Matheus Nunes. The ball bounced up and Nunes' scrumptious hit found the far corner. Kojo had Reece James in his defence and Joao Felix up top so this was a very helpful result. In the late game Manchester City did what many thought they would as they beat Southampton 4-1 at St Mary's. Trust this to happen when I had no Manchester City player in my team as I refused to use my second 'wildcard' just yet. Kojo of course had Erling Haaland and he bagged a brace. As well this, Grealish the man I strongly contemplated getting in for Maddison got a goal and assisted Haaland's second. Kojo led 49-27 at Saturday's conclusion but I still had my captain Mo Salah to play.
On Sunday, after Crystal Palace came from behind to tear Leeds apart 5-1, all eyes were on Anfield. Liverpool have been embarrassing Arsenal for the best part of the last nine years at home but this season things were much different as the Gunners were the far superior team coming into the game. The contest started aligning with form, Mikel Arteta's men played Liverpool off the pitch for half hour as they went into a two-goal lead through goals by Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. In the midst of the goals Alisson had to make a save from Oleksandr Zinchenko who Kojo had in his team. Andy Robertson put the ball wide after being played in by Fabinho denying me some crucial points. Salah put the ball wide after being fed by Jordan Henderson and it just looked like it was going to be one of those days. Salah gave Liverpool fans some hope as he pulled a goal back for Jurgen Klopp's men just before half-time. In the second half, the Egyptian could have done further damage but fitting right in with my luck this week when the home side were awarded a penalty Salah uncharacteristically put it wide. The second period went on to be completely different to the first and though the Gunners were always a threat on the counter attack Liverpool were easily the more dominant and Salah was denied not just once but twice by two very good saves from Aaron Ramsdale when the ball would have gone into the top corner. Darwin Nunez also missed a 1-on-1 before Roberto Firmino, frequently the scourge of Arsenal got Liverpool a more than deserved point. Arsenal could have been beaten at the end but Ibrahima Konate elected to use his chest rather than his head and Ramsdale yet again was to the rescue.
So with the two penalties misses costing me a minimum of 20 points with the second one missed by my captain, Kojo went on to win 52-39. If this is not paying the penalty then believe me I do not know what is. Just end the season already please I beg! I have gone from fifth place last campaign to fighting a hypothetical relegation.
@DubulDee
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