Game week 16 concluded at the London Stadium where Arsenal secured three precious points in a 3-1 win over the hapless Hammers. It was a huge victory for Freddie Ljungberg's men who had gone nine matches without a success; the club's worst run of form for 42 years. Elsewhere Liverpool and Leicester won again, Man United defeated City in the derby, and Duncan Ferguson inspired Everton to overcome Chelsea 3-1 at Goodison Park to take The Toffees out of the relegation zone.
With so many goals hitting the back of the net, it meant there was plenty of movement in the Advertiser Tribal League in association with Monroe's Live. Let's have a look at the top dogs.
Top three
1 Reggie Red - Reginald's Reds - 1005
The Reds are back on top after having a brilliant game week, collecting 85 points from the 10 games. Reggie Red's men relinquished top spot last week but being knocked off their perch seemed to inspire them as they put in a big performance. Captain Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy both grabbed braces with Heung-Min Son also troubling the scorekeepers. Andrew Robertson and Martin Kelly also provided shutouts at the back for the league leaders. Will the Reds lose their top spot again this season?
2 Cian de Lamport - Chris Woodbines - 1002
Now for many, a score of 71 points during a game week would represent a job well done and a movement upwards. But such is the competitiveness of the Tribal League especially at the top, The Woodbines dropped a place to second. Captain Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, and George Baldock all got their names on the scoresheet for Cian de Lamport's charges but a leaky defence which saw only one clean sheet is where the team fell down. Sort the problems out at the back and The Woodbines can make up the three point difference.
3 Kieran Ryan - TheDodgyTickers - 996
The Ticks are back in the top three thanks to an excellent score of 85 during the game week. It was up front where Kieran Ryan's men made hay with goals from the fab four of captain Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Anthony Martial, and Heung-Min Son. Similar to Chris Woodbines, TheDodgyTickers have a tendency to leak goals. If Ryan can sign a top quality defender then his charges can really challenge for the title.
Top picks
With football games coming thick and fast during the month of December, there is little time for Fantasy managers to dwell on the previous week's performance. Who are the players who will do the business in game week 17?
1 Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle - £5.1 million ) v Burnley
Once considered one of England's brightest prospects, Jonjo Shelvey's career has not hit the heights it probably should have to date. However, the Romford man may change this perception this season, being one of Newcastle's best performers on the pitch. The club's stand in captain is back in form with three in three matches as the Magpies have taken seven out of nine points. On Saturday afternoon, The Toon Army march to Turf Moor to take a Burnley side who have lost three in-a-row, conceding 11 goals and only scoring one. I am going for an away win with Shelvey continuing his fine goal streak. Get him in your team.
2 Marcus Rashford (Man United - £8.6 million ) v Everton
Marcus Rashford is the main man at Old Trafford at present with seven goals in eight league games including the opener during United's 2-1 derby away day success at the Ethiad Stadium. Still only 22-years of age, the England international has been one of the bright sparks for Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men during a tough opening half of the campaign. On Sunday, Rashford and co host Everton in Manchester. The Toffees received the predicted boost new interim manager Duncan Ferguson would bring as they downed Chelsea 3-1 at Goodison Park. But I believe game two of Ferguson's reign will be a lot tougher and will result in defeat, with Rashford getting his name on the scoresheet.
3 Richarlison (Everton - £7.8 million ) v Man United
Due to Everton's lack of form in recent weeks, it has gone unnoticed by many that midfielder-cum-striker Richarlison is bang on form with four goals in his last six league outings. On Sunday, The Toffees travel to Old Trafford and although I do not expect them to get anything from the game pointswise, I believe United's defence which has failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 in the league will once again fail to provide a shutout. Richarlison will be the man to exploit this.
Don't miss a minute of action with Monroe's Tavern
Remember you can catch all of game week 17's action live at Monroe's Tavern where punters can enjoy wings and a pint or burger and a pint for €10 during the matches.
Saturday:
Liverpool v Watford (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
Chelsea v Bournemouth (3pm ) Premier Sports.
Southampton v West Ham (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Sunday:
Man United v Everton (2pm ) SKY Sports.
Arsenal v Man City (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Monday:
Crystal Palace v Brighton (7.45pm ) SKY Sports.
