The Bonus Points
The AFC Bournemouth defence dominated the Fantasy Premier League bonus points in Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at Vitality Stadium.
Eddie Howe’s rearguard registered their third clean sheet in the last four matches on home turf, with Simon Francis (£4.5m) awarded the maximum three points thanks to a Bonus Point System (BPS) score of 37.
The Cherries' captain produced 17 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI), two successful tackles and seven recoveries to nullify Tottenham Hotspur’s attack.
Fellow centre-back Steve Cook (£4.9m) collected two bonus points after scoring 31 in the BPS.
He registered 18 CBI – the second-highest total in Gameweek 9 – and matched Francis’ two completed tackles.
Artur Boruc (£4.6m) made it a clean sweep for the hosts with 29 in the BPS. The Poland goalkeeper made four saves to earn a single bonus point and consign Spurs to their first blank of the season.
The ICT Index
Erik Lamela (£6.8m) was the runaway leader in the ICT Index on the south coast with a score of 13.1.
Handed a third consecutive start by Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs winger registered 10 touches inside the AFC Bournemouth penalty area, producing a total of five attempts on goal.
The Argentinian also created four scoring opportunities for team-mates, more than any player on show in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Christian Eriksen (£8.2m) claimed third spot. He scored 6.5 in the Index, firing four attempts on goal, though he found the target with only one of those efforts.
Cherries left-back Charlie Daniels (£5.0m) was ranked third, scoring 6.4 in the Index.
The raiding left-back produced an attempt on target from inside the box and created one scoring chance for the home side.
The Scout Notes
Cook, along with attack-minded full-backs Daniels and Adam Smith (£4.7m), all sit among the top seven scoring FPL defenders in 2016/17.
With matches against Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Stoke City over their next three fixtures, the Cherries' settled back four look set for further profit.
In attacking terms, the absence of Junior Stanislas (£5.6m) through injury came as a blow, although he is expected to return for the Gameweek 10 trip to Boro.
The winger had produced three goals and as many assists in his previous three league outings.
Spurs collected a fifth clean sheet of the campaign, without the services of the injured Toby Alderweireld (£6.4m).
But in attack, they have now scored only three goals in their last five matches in all competitions.
Pochettino opted to recall Son Heung-min (£7.7m) up front as Vincent Janssen (£7.8m) dropped to the bench.
The South Korean, who had acquired more than 334,000 new owners ahead of Gameweek 8, mustered only one attempt on goal before being replaced on the hour-mark.
Having played a mere 19 minutes against West Bromwich Albion prior to that surge in ownership, Son's pitch time now looks in question.
A starting role could even be in doubt very soon, with Harry Kane (£10.7m) mooted for a return for the Gameweek 11 derby with Arsenal.
Spurs' midfield options have been dealt a potential blow by Moussa Sissoko's (£6.8m) charge for alleged violent conduct, confirmed by the FA today. He could now face a three-match suspension which would rule him out of Gameweeks 10 and 11.