Arsenal crushed at Anfield, Chelsea on top

Game-week 25 -

Arsenal suffered a dreadful defeat at Anfield on Saturday when Liverpool scored 5 goals, thanks to Skrtel and Sterling. This defeat puts Arsenal in the second spot behind Chelsea as they won comfortably against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City had a chance to finish at the top spot after this game-week but they could only draw their encounter against Norwich and found themselves 2 points behind league leaders Chelsea. It was a relief for Liverpool when they won against Arsenal as this win might come handy to secure a place in top 4 at the end of the season. Skrtel and Sterling both scored 2 goals each to secure a emphatic win against gunners at Anfield. On the other hand, Chelsea grabbed a fantastic opportunity to overtake Arsenal when they crushed Newcastle 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Eden Hazard was Chelsea's Hero this game-week as he scored Hat-trick.

Manchester United once again had to settle for point against club which is trying to avoid relegation. They might have lost that match if Carrick and van Persie hadn't scored goals separating just 80 seconds. They lead 2-1 after those goals but Darren Bent scored a late goal to secure a massive point for Fulham at Old Trafford. This draw pushed Manchester United down with a 4 point difference to 6th positioned Everton. It might have bigger if Everton Won or drew against Tottenham this week, but they suffered a narrow defeat (1-0) at White Hart Lane as Adebayor scored only goal of the match.

Game-week 26 -

GW 26 is upon us very quickly, on Tuesday. There is nearly no time to think about Fantasy transfers this week. There is one more test for Arsenal and this time against Manchester United at Emirates stadium. Both teams are going through a very tough period of the season and desperately need to win this match. This match will be very interesting to watch. Chelsea will travel to West Brom this week and will hope to continue their fantastic performance to ensure top spot. Manchester City will entertain Sunderland at Etihad where as Everton will face Crystal Palace. Liverpool are right now safe in top 4 but they should stay alert as Tottenham and Everton are very capable of removing 3-5 points gap. Brendon Rodgers must be hoping for another win as they will take on Fulham away from home. Tottenham must be feeling confidant after a win over Everton. They will face Newcastle away from home.

Fantasy -

This GW was good for my fantasy team. When i wrote my last post i was not sure about armband choice. But before a hour to deadline i saw only one good choice and it was Hazard. And well it really paid off. He scored a hat-trick, earned 3 bonus points and a clean sheet too. Hazard single-handedly (more with his feet though!!) steered my team past 40 and other players contributed just 38 points.

Substitutes for Game-week 25

My team had Skrtel too, but i placed him in substitutes and brought Collins to starting 11. Skrtel scored 15 points this game-week. If i had Skrtel in starting 11, i could have got extra 8 points. But if and buts don't count in fantasy. Still, i am happy with my captain's performance. Suarez and Rooney might have disappointed many owners. Yaya and Ozil too couldn't get much points. My team saw nearly 100k rise in rank thanks to Captaincy decision.

Here's my team's link. 2 free transfers are available to me but i will wait until tomorrow for a decision. I am thinking about replacing Ozil with Gerrard or Lallana and will save 1 transfer.
There are now 2 members competing for armband in my team. Hazard as Chelsea will play against West Brom and Suarez as Liverpool will play against Fulham. I will decide captain in last hour. I hop Rooney and Yata do well in this game-week and earn me good points.

Fantasy Advantage -

Suarez, Sturridge, Gerrard(vs Fulham),
Yaya, Silva, Hart (Vs Sunderland),
Hazard, Terry, Cech (vs West Brom),
Coleman, Mirallas, Howard (Vs C. Palace).

English premier league - Matchweek 1 Report

Cliffhanger at Anfield
liverpool 1-0 Stoke City

Liverpool and Stoke City gave an excellent start to premier league by providing a cliffhanger at Anfield. The fate of this match was undecided until Mignolet saved penalty of Jonathan Walters in the 88th minute. 

In the first half Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was in excellent touch, testing Stoke goalkeeper many times but eventually he managed to score in the 37th minute. But real stars of the match were goalkeepers of both sides. Stoke keeper Begovic made record 10 saves whereas Mignolet became man of the match after that heroic penalty save. Brendon Rodgers will be pleased with the team effort especially with attack as their main striker Luis Suarez wont be available for next 5 matches due to ban.

Stoke assistant manager Mark Bowen was disappointed after the defeat when he mentioned the missed penalty in the post match interview, but he was pleased with the fight Stoke gave to Liverpool. 

Liverpools next fixture is against Aston Villa at Villa Park  where we may see a tough contest between two sides. Stoke will play against Crystal Palace at home.


Benteke magic at Emirates
Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa

2 goals from Christian Benteke and debut goal from Luna handed an excellent victory for Aston Villa over Arsenal at emirates Stadium. Aston Villa who were struggling to keep themselves away from relegation stunned Arsenal with magical performance. First goal of the match came from Olivier Giroud in the 6th minute but after that Gunners struggled to keep Aston Villa strikers away from penalty box.

Benteke levelled the score in the 22nd minute with the fabulous header from close range. In the second half Gunners skipper Koscielny conceded a penalty and Benteke again scored with a shot to the bottom left corner. In the 66th minute Koscielny had to left to field after recieving 2nd yellow card for a foul.
  
Villa confirmed their 3 points when left back Antonio Luna scored on his debut in the 85th minute. "I am ready to spend the money in the transfer market but we should try bring the quality players." Arsene Wenger said in the post match interview. Villa manager was delighted with the team performance especially with the counter-attack.

Arsenal will travel to Craven Cottage in the next matchweek while Villa will play against Chelsea on Wednesday.


Carrow road draw
Norwich 2-2 Everton

Norwich played an excellent football to gain a point from strong Everton side. After boring first half which saw no goal from both sides, in the 50th minute Norwich Right-back came forward and scored on the rebound to open the scoring.  

Everton did not waste the time and responded with brace of goals scored by Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman in the 60th and 65th minute respectively.
Norwich came from behind in the 71st minute when Ricky van Wolfswinkel headed the ball in the Everton net. 

"It's satisfying that we were able to put good performance against Everton" Norwich boss Chris Hughton was pleased with the effort from his team against strong opponent. 

"I am pleased with the chances we created. We know that Norwich are diffucult unit to break at their home." Everton manager Roberto Martinez said in the post match interview.