Gameweek 19 saw me against Stel. Stel was enjoying a solid first half of the season, and he was level on 33 points with me in the 'Justice League'. We were only separated by the fact that I had more classic points. This was a 'six-pointer' if ever there was one.
My only transfer this week was to sell Alexander Isak, so I could get Julian Alvarez back into my side. Meanwhile, Stel, sold Darwin Nunez to get in Cameron Archer. Mo Salah was captained by Stel & me, as we hoped Burnley's defensive errors would continue against Liverpool.
The action began on Boxing Day. The early kick-off was between Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, and it did not go the way many had expected. Nuno Espírito Santo, was taking charge of just his second match for Forest, and he was able to grab his first win at his new club. All this was despite the Magpies taking the lead. Of course, as I sold Isak, he gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot, which he won himself. Chris Wood (£4.9m), however, came back to haunt his old club as he bagged a hat-trick as the away side won 3-1. The second goal was the pick of them, as he cooked Dan Burn and dinked it over Martin Dubravka, it honestly looked like Ronaldo (R9) was on the pitch! This meant a big fat zero from Fabian Schar for me, who may be departing my team sooner rather than later. Matt Turner, got a save point, so I at least got 3 points from him here.
In the 3pm's, Stel's team got off the mark as Dominic Solanke scored from the spot as the Cherries beat Fulham 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium. I was really suffering not bringing Solanke in, I just have the feeling that when I do he will stop his great run as he now has 8 in 7 games. It was not all good news for my opponent however, as his keeper was Bernd Leno, who was booked on top of conceding three leaving him with no points. At Bramall Lane, Archer got a 'fantasy' assist for Anel Ahmedhodzic's goal, giving Stel more points as Sheffield United went 2-1 up against Luton. Rob Edwards' men came back to win 3-2 though, as they won back-to-back games thanks to two own goals. Surprisingly, the Hatters have an array of enablers that can aid your budget. In defence, Alfie Doughty (£4.4m) opened the scoring in this win, and Amari'i Bell (£3.9m) has returned recently from injury. Up front, Carlton Morris (£5.1m) 'assisted' both own goals. Also, Elijah Adebayo (£4.8m) looks a nuisance for defences much of the time he is on the pitch.
In the latter games, firstly, Liverpool won 2-0 away at Burnley. Darwin Nunez finally broke his drought with a fine finish after good work by Cody Gakpo. James Trafford produced a great save to deny Salah and then a little later the Egyptian struck the top of the bar. Gakpo and Harvey Elliott had goals disallowed, before substitute Diogo Jota put the game to bed. The Reds' clean sheet benefited Stel who had Virgil van Dijk. The last match on Boxing Day, and it saw Stel's 'real' team Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford. Villa led 2-0, but a comeback led by a brace from Alejandro Garnacho (£4.7m), helped them to the three points. Rasmus Hojlund (£6.8m), got off the mark in the Premier League to seal the deal and at his price I expect some to flock to him now. Stel led 27-12 when Boxing Day ended.
On Wednesday, things picked up for my team. Wolves stunned Brentford 4-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium. Hee-Chan Hwang showed it was 'Hwang time' once again as he copped his 9th and 10th goals of the season in the first half. Before the goals he almost got a fantasy assist too for an own goal as Vitaly Janelt almost put through his own net. All that and the Korean still had time to be kneed in his back and come off just before half-time. He still got the maximum bonus points in spite of only playing less than half of the game. The man I tipped last gameweek, Mario Lemina had opened the scoring for Gary O'Neil's men, who had Pedro Neto back on the bench. With Hwang departing for the Asia Cup, Neto is back just in time to tear defences apart again. Neto still leads the league in assists despite missing eight games with a hamstring injury. Everton, took the lead at home to Manchester City, but were beaten 3-1. So there was no clean sheet for Stel's man James Tarkowski, and I got the Alvarez goal I needed. The Argentine scored the second from the spot, meaning this week the Solanke goal was not as costly as last week. Phil Foden (£7.6m), scored City's equaliser and was shooting on sight throughout, with Sheffield United coming up he could prove to be vital. Bernardo Silva got the third, as well as an assist for the Foden goal and he could be a sleeper at just £6.4m with only 4.5% ownership. I was now ahead 34-28.
The last two fixtures were on Thursday. Injury-plagued Brighton, showed their mettle with a 4-2 win over Tottenham at the Amex Stadium. Jack Hinshelwood (£4.5m) scored again to open things up, as he put forward his enabler claims. Joao Pedro scored twice from the spot as well as assisting the Hinshelwood goal and Rian (Milito), messaged me to say he should be called 'Joao Pendro'. Pedro Porro somehow managed to get me two bonus points although Spurs conceded four as he assisted a Ben Davies header as well as creating numerous other chances. Evan Ferguson, was on both of our benches and he won the second penalty. There was a shock to complete the week as West Ham won 2-0 away at Arsenal. Jarrod Bowen, was deemed to have just kept the ball in to find Tomas Soucek for the first. James Ward-Prowse's corner provided the second for former Arsenal man Kostantinos Mavropanos to head in. For years I have wondered what the West Ham way was, I feel like I am maybe a bit closer to knowing now, 'stop..hammer time!' . The Ward-Prowse assist wiped out my Bowen one. But as Gabriel Magalhaes and Bukayo Saka blanked, with Vladimir Coufal getting the clean sheet, I won 53-37. It would have taken a brave man to double up on a Hammers defence away at the Gunners, but looking at Alphonse Aroela's 10 points on my bench was making my eye twitch!
So, I am up to second in the Justice League after this important victory. I also moved up to 282k in the world. I now play my cousin Clement, who is currently just two points behind me in the head-to-head league, no rest for the wicked then!
@DubulDee
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