I TELL YAH INVITATIONAL LEAGUE

SEASON NINE

WEEK 16

Welcome back y’all. This week in the Premier League. Arsenal maintained their five-point gap at the top as they came from a goal down at half time to beat West Ham 3-1 at home. New Wolves manager Lopetegui started life in the Premier League in dramatic fashion, coming from a goal down to beat Everton 2-1 in the 95^th minute. Newcastle looked good as they brushed Leicester aside 3-0 away. Brighton also looked good as they beat Southampton 3-1 away. In an exciting game, Liverpool defeated Villa away by the same score, as did Man City who eased past Leeds away 3-1. Fulham beat nine-man Crystal Palace 3-0 away. Man Utd strolled past Notts Forest 3-0 at home. Chelsea beat Bournemouth 2-0 at home and Spurs came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Brentford.

In the ITYIFL, in a high scoring return for most managers. Natalie Stigwood maintained her strangle hold on the league, although may be looking over her shoulder as she sits 33 points ahead at the top. She racked up a very decent 98 point weekly score, thanks to the likes of captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Trippier (12) Almiron (8) Martinelli (8) Shaw (8) Kane (7) Nketiah (6) and Pope (6).

Ominously moving up into second place is double champ Danny Milton, with a very impressive 104 point week. Doing the business was captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Salah (12) Trippier (12) Salah (12) Kepa (9) Martinelli (8) Robertson (8) Kane (7) and Martial (6). Remaining in third, and as always, a mainstay in the top positions is former champ Jeff Franklin following his very decent weekly score of 94 points. This was due to captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Salah (12) Trippier (12) Almiron (8) Martinelli (8) and Martial (6).

Moving down to fourth is my recent former work colleague Abdul Rahman, despite a decent weekly score of 84 points. His contributions came from captain Haaland (26) Havertz (12) Trippier (12) Saka (9) Almiron (8) and Kane (7). Congratulations to the top four managers who have broken the thousand-point mark. In fifth, desperately trying to infiltrate the top four is Yours Truly. I had a not too shabby 94 point week. Thanks to the likes of captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Trippier (12) Saka (9) Almiron (8) Martinelli (8) Kane (7) and Wan-Bissaka (6).

This week’s Highest Scorer is Washington DC’s Greg Cabana, thanks to an excellent 111 point weekly score, which moved him up into sixth place. Doing the business was captain Haaland (26) Mitrovic (15) Rashford (14) Salah (12) Trippier (12) Saka (9) Almiron (8) and Shaw (8). This sees Sanjay Beecher move down into seventh, despite his very decent 93 point week, with contributions from captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Salah (12) Trippier (12) Almiron (8) Martinelli (8) and Kane (7).

Philippines native Jean Ninal is having a particularly good debut season as she moved up into eighth place, following a very impressive weekly score of 105 points. Thanks to captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Salah (12) Trippier (12) Odegaard (11) Martinelli (8) Shaw (8) and Kane (7). Another former work colleague, my spurs mate Keith Wilson moves up into ninth following his decent 86 point weekly score. This was due to captain Haaland (26) Mitrovic (15) Trippier (12) Saka (9) Almiron (8) and Kane (7).

Moving down, but maintaining his position in the top ten is my coaching partner Francis Norville, following his modest weekly score of 69 points. His contributions were mainly from captain Haaland (26) Tripper (12) Almiron (8) Martinelli (8) and Pope (6). This week’s joint Highest Movers was first, my middle son Jahsiah Tobierrie who moved up five placed from 17th to 12th due to a decent 85 point week, thanks to the likes of captain Haaland (26) Salah (12) Odegaard (11) Almiron (8) Kane (7) Botman (6) and Cucurella (6). Secondly, my long-time mate Bob Maroon, who also moved up five places from 20th to 15th thanks to a very decent 93 point weekly score, with contributions from captain Haaland (26) Rashford (14) Salah (12) Trippier (12) Almiron (8) Kane (7) and Toney (5).

Oh, it’s good to be back. Even better that we come back to the busy Christmas period. It’s a quick turnaround to Friday’s games so make it count y’all.