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Could 2012 be the year of the underdog? If gameweek 19, which straddled the New Year celebrations, is any indication then the big spending heavyweights of the Premier League are in for a tough second half to the current campaign.

Only Arsenal out of the top five managed to labour to a victory, as the PPP/CTN Fantasy League yielded rich rewards for some bargain talents. Although there were no stand out performances, three players shared the MVP mantle with totals of 13 points.

Former Man City midfielder Stephen Ireland was the least expensive of the bunch, costing just £5.6 million with his new team Aston Villa. He and fellow Irishman Jonathan Walters of Stoke both scored once and assisted another to earn their top tallies.

Liverpool’s impudent Welsh striker Craig Bellamy also amassed 13 points with a brace against Newcastle on Friday.

Blackburn’s Ayegbeni Yakubu also hit a double for 12 points, a count also achieved by Everton’s Tony Hibbert with his assist and clean sheet.

The weekly winner was Inhue Jung with his side KFC. The 64 points was finger licking good enough for the top honours this week, but matched the lowest winning total of the season so far set in gameweek 5.

Inhue’s secret ingredients for his squad included Arsenal’s unstoppable Robin van Persie as captain for 18 points and Dream teamers Yakubu and Walters.

Inhue’s bonus bucket sees him choose between an internet dongle or US$20 phone voucher as well as a T-shirt from sponsors Cellcard.

Gameweek 20 is already underway and features tonight’s blockbuster between Man City and Liverpool.