My longtime friend Delvin was my gameweek 4 opposition. I was seeking back-to-back wins after losing my first two head-to-head matches. I had heavily contemplated using my ‘wildcard’ this week as Erling Haaland scoring consecutive hat-tricks had completely outdone me deciding. The issue however arose that there was a bereavement close to the family, and it was not known whether Haaland would start against Brentford at home or not.
Pep Guardiola stated in Friday’s press conference that they will check on Haaland on Saturday whether he will play or not, I expected him to start as I was sure when his grandmother passed away, he still played in the next game. However, because of the slight indecisiveness I had as he would be the main focal point of playing my wildcard, I decided against using it just yet. I had been missing out on my team Liverpool keeping three clean sheets in their first three league games, so despite not knowing how long it could continue I got in Andy Robertson. Out went Valentin Barco who is of course on loan at Sevilla because seeing him on my bench was annoying me as he had a good preseason and looked a steal at £4m. I left my captaincy with Mo Salah. Delvin did not make any transfers and of course captained Haaland.
The action began in the early kick-off at St Mary’s as Southampton hosted Manchester United. The Saints were easily the better team to start with and were awarded a first half penalty. Cameron Archer was denied from the spot by Andre Onana and then United went on to score twice in six minutes to go in 2-0 at half-time. As my opponent had Lisandro Martinez, I needed the home side to score but then Jack Stephens was sent off for a challenge that would not have looked out of place in UFC. The Red Devils got a third in injury time and I was already thinking the worst.
In the 3pm games; I ended up ruing getting Robertson in as Liverpool were shocked 1-0 at home by Nottingham Forest. The Reds were poor and got what they deserved as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s stunner on the break sealed the points. Diogo Jota had a good chance in the first half that he would normally bury. Because of his good start to the day Trent Alexander-Arnold blanking did not harm my opponent. Hudson-Odoi for obvious reasons was my last substitute, ironically, I was to get 9 points from Matz Sels in goal as Jason Steele who I put in my XI was on the bench again for Brighton. Bart Verbruggen started again at the Amex Stadium as new coach Fabian Hurzeler showed he will not be rotating goalkeepers like Roberto De Zerbi used to. The Seagulls drew 0-0 at home to Ipswich despite having over 20 shots. Delvin had Joao Pedro, but he was not in the Brighton squad due to injury.
If I had activated the wildcard, I would have sold Jean-Philippe Mateta, there was some rare luck for me this week as he came through with two second half goals as Crystal Palace fought back from 2-0 down at home to Leicester. Both Foxes’ goals were made by Wilfred Ndidi and if he is going to continue as a ‘10’ with Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks operating in a pivot then at £5m he could be a decent option for your bench. Annoyingly at Craven Cottage, Rodrigo Muniz was only on the bench for Fulham as they drew 1-1 with West Ham. Muniz’s replacement Raul Jimenez opened the scoring, and it was assisted by Emile Smith Rowe as Delvin continued to stack points. The game looked dead and buried when Danny Ings levelled in the 95th minute, this further aided my opponent as he had Jarrod Bowen who set the goal up. The inevitable happened at the Etihad Stadium as Haaland started and took his tally to 9 in just 4 league games, his second was another lovely finish, things were looking increasingly bleak for me.
In the 5.30pm encounter; Aston Villa beat Everton 3-2, Ollie Watkins’ brace helped as Jordan Pickford was my opponent’s goalie. He also had Amadou Onana who thankfully did not score, but currently looks a bargain at £5.1m. The 8pm tie saw Chelsea win 1-0 at Bournemouth. Christopher Nkunku grabbed the winner off the bench. A sporadic occasion where Cole Palmer was a differential saw him not return for me as the attacking talent Chelsea have accumulated really showed up in the crunch. Pedro Neto was withdrawn for Jadon Sancho at half-time and Sancho ended up being man of the match. Joao Felix and of course Nkunku all made a difference off the bench in a game the Cherries will feel aggrieved to have not taken the three points. Nicolas Jackson blanking did not stop Delvin’s charge towards victory as Saturday ended with me trailing 49-34.
I needed Pedro Porro and Alexander Isak to do exceptionally well if I had any chance of making a comeback on Sunday. First up was the north London Derby and Tottenham started well but their final ball evaded them. Arsenal were to come out the victors 1-0 thanks to a second half header by Gabriel Magalhaes. Spurs’ defending at set pieces has been targeted before by Mikel Arteta’s men and it worked again like a charm. With Bukayo Saka taking the corner Delvin was in dreamland, as my defeat was confirmed with Gabriel and Saka combining for 22 points. It meant the last match of the gameweek Wolves and Newcastle was a damaged limitations exercise nonetheless I was hoping that Isak could get me some points as this was easily my lowest total of the season thus far. Even that was not to happen as the disaster continued, Isak came off at half-time with a bloody nose. I mean can things get any worse I could not even get sympathy points. The Magpies scored two late goals to come from behind (no Diddy!) and win 2-1.
So, after last campaigns 4th place finish, I have lost 3 out of my first 4 head-to-head contests. It is funny how things work as if I did activate the wildcard then it could have been so different. I need to do some serious thinking on how I am going to bounce back.
@DubulDee
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