Gameweek 26 saw me up against the Justice League’s reigning champion Eman. This campaign however, he was only three points ahead of me as we both sat further away from the money positions than we would have liked. The opportunity to go level on points with him increased the voices in my head that I had to have something up my sleeve to emerge here.
I was not totally unhappy with the XI that I wanted to start this gameweek, although what I was concerned about was a lack of squad depth. Michael Keane was no longer in Everton’s starting XI and Harry Wilson was injured. As well as that Josko Gvardiol was up against Liverpool, and I did not think Manchester City would keep a clean sheet. Therefore, after much deliberation I decided to use my second ‘Wildcard’ bonus chip. My transfers included bringing Bryan Mbeumo back, getting Matheus Cunha in for Cody Gakpo and changing both my goalkeepers amongst others. Usually, I make wholesale changes with a wildcard but this time I was meticulous and only made seven transfers. Eman made two transfers meaning a four-point deduction. He brought in Ethan Nwaneri for the injured Amad Diallo, he was amid using the new ‘Assistant manager’ bonus chip, so he sold Arne Slot to get in Mikel Arteta. I never want Arsenal to win anyway, here it was more than necessary they did not as he went all in on them, as he already had Gabriel Magalhaes also. Eman and I both of course captained Mo Salah.
The action began on Friday, with a match that I targeted between Leicester and Brentford. The Bees started well as a man I have spoken on numerous times Mikkel Damsgaard produced a great pass to find Yoane Wissa to give them the lead. Eman had Wissa so I was hoping that was his only contribution. Damsgaard then assisted again this time for the man I brought back Mbeumo. The Dane (£5.1m) now has 10 assists and is still only owned by 1.7%. Mbeumo further vindicated my decision to bring him back as his free-kick was headed in by Christian Norgaard to make it 3-0. Fabio Carvalho came on to score the fourth, and I thought Wissa had assisted it, luckily the touch before it was from a Leicester player that was next to him as it finished 4-0. With Mark Flekken being one of my keepers now, Friday ended 21-4 in my favour.
Saturday began with Manchester United’s trip to Everton. Despite being a Manchester United fan, my opponent started Abdoulaye Doucoure over Morgan Rogers, so I was hoping Doucoure was quiet. It is the hope that kills you as after only 19 minutes the Toffees took the lead. A very messy round of head tennis saw Doucoure get the vital header for the rejuvenated Beto to score yet again in February. I sighed whilst waiting for the train as I was on my way back from recording the ‘FootyOnTop’ radio show, only for things to worsen. Andre Onana saved a shot from Jack Harrison, the ball looped into the air and Doucoure was left unchallenged to make it 2-0. I was furious and in jest I messaged Eman to say that “friendship done” as my lead was being eradicated. Ruben Amorim’s men did not look like doing a damn thing, before the hour mark but somehow battled back to get a 2-2 draw.
In the 3pm kick-offs, Arsenal hosted West Ham. The injuries the Gunners have were evident as they struggled to create good chances, and Graham Potter was to get another win against Mikel Arteta. The goal was scored by Jarrod Bowen, and I was over the moon. Aaron Wan-Bissaka crossed for the headed goal, and to be honest if Alphonse Areola was not my other keeper, then I would have got him in as I did not want to double up on the Hammers’ defence. Bowen is owned by less than 4% so I welcomed the differential points as well as the fact the result helped the team I support in the title race. Forever blowing bubbles whilst the sun rises in the east of London, we see you Jarrod the Damaja! Wolves, a little to my surprise kept a clean sheet at the Vitality Stadium. It was aided by Illia Zabarnyi being sent off for the Cherries but as I got my Rayan Ait-Nouri points I did not care. The goal was by Cunha so another of my transfers worked. Cunha could have also got an assist, only for Marshall Munetsi to miss a good chance. Justin Kluivert was the most transferred in player and disappointed his new owners.
Tottenham made it three victories on the bounce as they ran riot at Ipswich, as I benefitted once again. Brennan Johnson (£6.2m) copped a brace as he now has 9 league goals and yet still only has 2% ownership. The Tractor Boys pulled one back and then Spurs restored their two-goal advantage in the second half. Whilst listening to ‘talkSPORT’ I thought imagine if Djed Spence got it, and to my joy it was Spence who netted. I wanted Spence and Daniel Munoz in my team as they are threats going forward, but Spence was easier to get in as he was cheaper, and he plays in the blank gameweek in 29, whereas Munoz did not. Munoz had scored also in Crystal Palace’s win at Fulham, helping me as my opposition had Antonee Robinson. Ange Postecoglou’s men went on to a 4-1 triumph. In the evening game, the Cole Palmer issue continued to rear its head. Chelsea took the lead against Aston Villa only to lose 2-1 at Villa Park. Palmer had a certain goal blocked in the second half, however with Southampton and Leicester coming to Stamford Bridge he may be an alternative captain choice to Salah. New loan signing Marco Asensio was at the double for the Villans and at £6m I expect some to flock to him and another Villa loanee Marcus Rashford (£6.7m) who got two assists. I have not had a player from Unai Emery’s side all season, that will change but they also do not play in gameweek 29. Saturday concluded with me ahead 56-28 as Eman paid the price for changing to Arteta as his assistant manager. Add to that he had blanks from Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins.
Sunday, started with Newcastle at home to Nottingham Forest in what ended up being a goal fest. Forest took the lead through great improvisation from Callum Hudon-Odoi before the Magpies hit back with two goals in three minutes. I sold Jacob Murphy for Mbeumo and Murphy netted the second. Lewis Hall (£5m) got assists for the two goals, albeit the second was the fact he was the last Newcastle player to touch the ball. Not too long after it was amazingly 4-1 as Alexander Isak scored two in two minutes. The first was a penalty that comically found the net and the second was deflected in after a quick breakaway. This was a rare occasion where someone I was up against did not have Isak, so I was rubbing my hands like a movie villain. The away side pulled it back to 4-3 as Eddie Howe’s men nervously hung on. The gap increased so much it was basically impossible for me to lose now.
The gameweek ended with its biggest match. League leaders Liverpool travelled to Manchester City knowing that they can make the gap between them and Arsenal 11 points. Usually under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds went toe-to-toe with City however, Arne Slot had them sit back here and try to pick them off. Liverpool got a corner and produced a well worked training ground routine which was finished off by Salah via a deflection. As already said Salah is inevitable, the greatest FPL player of all-time continues to shine. The Egyptian was not done there as he assisted the second goal for Dominik Szoboszlai. So, another double figure haul for Salah as it finished 2-0. It was the 11th time this campaign that he scored and assisted in the same match, captaining anyone other than Salah has become more of a horror than a Saw film.
I beat the defending champion 102-67, as for once my wildcard worked brilliantly. Somehow, I still did not get the highest score of the week in the Justice League as Dwayne used his bench boost and got 106 points. Green arrows all over the place for me then but again no time to rest as another gameweek is right here.
@DubulDee
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