Dec 14

FA Cup Fourth Round Analysis Ahead of Gameweek 24 FPL

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Fourteen Premier League clubs featured in the FA Cup Fourth Round this weekend and the Fplbet team have since been glued to the match highlights analysing each fixture ahead of Gameweek 24. The third round kicked off on Friday when Manchester United traveled to Derby with manager Louis van Gaal looking for a win to ease the pressure. The Premier League outfit showed their class coming away with a 3-1 win against their Championship opposition. Elsewhere Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho continued his fine season as he scored a hat trick against fellow Premier League side Aston Villa. The forgotten man at West Brom Saido Berahino reminded Tony Pulis what he is capable of when given the chance scoring two goals in the Baggies 2-2 draw with League 1 Peterborough.

Derby 1-3 Manchester United

Goals: Rooney (16'), Blind (65'), Mata (83') Assists: Martial x2, Lingard Fplbet MOTM: Anthony Martial (MUN) > Wayne Rooney curled in a top class opener from 20 yards to put United ahead. The striker has looked back to his best recently scoring four goals this month in all competitions. > Over half (52.3%) of United's attacks came down the left hand side where Anthony Martial was positioned. Martial looked dangerous in attack and if United keep scoring his PPG could increase rapidly. > The win helped relieve pressure from Van Gaal and post-match Wayne Rooney spoke out in support of his boss stating: “It's unfair to say it's (down to) the manager, we're on the pitch, so the players have to take a lot of responsibility for performances and results”.

Colchester 1-4 Tottenham

Goals: Chadli x2 (27', 78'), Dier (64'), Davies (OG) (80'), Carroll (82') Assists: Lamela, Bentaleb, Trippier, Chadli Fplbet MOTM: Nacer Chadli > Nacer Chadli put in an excellent performance and was the focal point of Tottenham's attack, with Eriksen looking quiet despite playing in his preferred central position behind Kane. > Despite scoring four goals, Tottenham were wasteful in attack and 15 of their 27 shots failed to hit the target. > Harry Kane was subbed off on the 67th minute at 2-0 when the game looked wrapped up, he'll now enter the Norwich game with slightly fresher legs.

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley

Goals: Chambers (19') Sanchez (53') Assists: Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain Fplbet MOTM: Alexis Sanchez > Alexis Sanchez made and instant impact on his return to first team football, assisting the first and scoring the second goal. The Chilean showed no signs of lack of game time and was eventually subbed on the 78th minute. > Calum Chambers replaced Hector Bellerin at right back and despite impressing it's likely the Spaniard will come back into the starting XI this Tuesday. > Nacho Monreal was also treated to a well-earned rest with Kieran Gibbs replacing him for the tie, Gibbs is likely to suffer the same fate as Chambers with Monreal expected to start against Southampton. > There was a return to first team football for Francis Coquelin, the Frenchman played 71 minutes and tightened the Arsenal midfield. This could be key going forwards with Wenger keen to start keeping more clean sheets. > There was also no game time for Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech or Joel Campbell but Egyptian Mohamed Elneny did make his debut.

Aston Villa 0-4 Manchester City

Goals: Iheanacho x3 (4', 24' (Pen), 74') Sterling (76') Assists: Sterling, Iheanacho Fplbet MOTM: Kelechi Iheanacho > What could have been a potentially a tricky tie for City, against a Villa side who were unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, was in truth a walkover, the away side took control by scoring twice within the first 24 minutes and went on to win the game with ease. > Young striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored a hat-trick for City eased with Raheem Sterling completing the rout. > There was an eyebrow raising decision to start Bacary Sagna as a central defender, but the Frenchman impressed alongside Otamendi. > Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure were all rested for the encounter. > There was no real surprises in the Aston Villa side but both Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott were rested.

Crystal Palace 1-0 Stoke

Goals: Zaha (17') Assists: Cabaye FplbetMOTM: Wilfried Zaha > Crystal Palace named their strongest starting XI whilst Stoke made eight changes to their team after playing in a semi-final tie that went to penalties during the week. > Peter Odemwingie made his first appearance since September but struggled to impact the game before being removed in the 75' minute. > New-boy Emmanuel Adebayor, who arrived on a free transfer last Tuesday, was deemed not fit enough to feature.

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Watford

Goals: Ighalo (89') Assists: N/A Fplbet MOTM: Craig Cathcart > Watford's top scorer Odion Ighalo saved the Hornets from a replay, as he came off the bench to fire Watford into the FA Cup fifth round. > The Nigerian, started on the bench but came on in the 72nd minute, and scored the winner with a minute remaining when he fired in from close range. He now has 10 goals in his last 15 games, and 15 in total this season. > There was a debut upfront for new signing Nordin Amrabat replacing Ighalo, but it's hard to look beyond Ighalo starting against Chelsea on Wednesday. > Debutant keeper Costel Pantilimon wasn't tested much but came to Watford's aid saving an Eric Lichaj volley. > Despite Ighalo coming on and taking the limelight the Watford defence was impressive throughout with Craig Cathcart the most best of the bunch.

Portsmouth 1-2 Bournemouth

Goals: King (71') Pugh (83') Assists: O'Kane FplbetMOTM: Gary Roberts > Bournemouth made 10 changes to the starting XI that beat Sunderland, but the replacements failed to impress as Portsmouth dominated in the first 70 minutes. > The double substitution of Matt Richie and Marc Pugh injected life into the Cherries and soon after they found themselves level at Fratton Park, before going on to secure their place in the next round.

West Brom 2-2 Peterborough

Goals: Berahino x2 (14', 84') Assists: Lambert, Dawson Fplbet MOTM: Saido Berahino > In a rare start, and amid transfer rumours Saido Berahino put the Premier League side ahead with a brilliant long-range finish. Berahino got his second with a clever finish from again from an acute angle. > Unlike a typical Tony Pulis side there was some terrible defending on show that led to Jon Taylor's equaliser just 60 seconds after the Premier League side went 2-1 up. > West Brom were booed off for failing to overcome a side two divisions below them at home. > Despite his two goals we wouldn't suggest bringing Berahino into your FPL sides as his troubled season on the bench is likely to continue when West Brom get back to Premier League action.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Goals: N/A Assists: N/A Fplbet MOTM: Darren Randolph > There was no start for Sam Byram with James Tomkins starting at right back for West Ham, the former Leeds man was cup tied having played for the Yorkshire club in the competition. > An inexperienced Liverpool side were frustrated by West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph as their FA Cup fourth-round tie ended in a goalless draw. > The away side did have a few early chances, notably an Enner Valencia header and a Pedro Obiang volley. > West Ham's Dimitri Payet completed 90 minutes but didn't see much off the ball, most importantly for FPL managers the Frenchman was unscaved.

Carlisle 0-3 Everton

Goals: Kone (2'), Lennon (14'), Barkley (65') Assists: Lennon, Oviedo, Osman Fplbet MOTM: Aaron Lennon > Owners of Romelu Lukaku will be happy as the Belgian wasn't needed by Roberto Martinez and was an unused substitute in the win, along with Gerard Deulofeu. > Leighton Baines was rested in favour of Brian Oviedo who put in a good performance with an assist. Baines will no doubt return to the starting lineup against Newcastle on Wednesday night. > Aaron Lennon has put himself into the limelight after a goal and assist in an all round impressive performance from the winger. > Ross Barkley also got on the scoresheet and will be hoping to take his cup form into the league after scoring against both Manchester City and Carlisle this week.

MK Dons 1-5 Chelsea

Goals: Oscar x3 (15', 32', 44'), Hazard (Pen) (55'), Traore (62') Assists: Costa, Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Hazard Fplbet MOTM: Oscar > Guus Hiddink once again fielded a strong team, with Kurt Zouma and Cesar Azpilicueta being rested for the tie. > Willian started on the bench before coming on in the 64th minute, he did pick up a foot injury in the closing stages of the game, it initially looked bad news for owners of the Brazilian but he seemed to run it off. > Oscar scored a first half hat trick and despite playing as a winger he was constantly involved. > Eden Hazard looked lively throughout picking up an assist and scoring a 55th minute penalty, the game will certainly give the Belgian a confidence boost.

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