The Scout reviews Gameweek 25

Peter Odemwingie tops the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for Gameweek 25, after a hat-trick in West Bromwich Albion’s comprehensive win at local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. Tottenham Hotspur pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Louis Saha lead the chasing pack, as does Grant Holt, after the Norwich City forward bagged a brace in a 3-2 win at Swansea City.

With a two-week break for FA Cup fixtures, The Scout breaks down the bonus points of the Gameweek gone by:

Talking points

As always, we begin by clearing up any of the contentious points awarded in the Gameweek. There were a couple of incidents to clear up in Saturday’s match at the Stadium of Light. First of all, Stephane Sessegnon was not awarded an assist for James McClean’s opener, as Per Mertesacker was judged to have had the final touch on the ball before the Sunderland winger fired home. Mikel Arteta’s assist for Aaron Ramsey’s equaliser has now been removed. Ramsey found the net after the Spaniard’s attempted shot was diverted into his path but, as the final touch from a Sunderland defender was outside the area, the award of an assist has been revised.

Clint Dempsey was awarded an assist, rather than a goal, for his role in Fulham’s second against Stoke City. The Press Association have, instead, accredited Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen with an own goal as, without his intervention, the ball would not have found the net. A similar scenario occurred in Blackburn Rovers’ match with Queens Park Rangers. David Hoilett’s effort was deemed to be heading wide before deflecting off Nedum Onouha and, as a result, the Canadian was granted an assist, with Onouha awarded the own goal.

Finally, Andrew Surman was wrongly awarded an assist in Norwich City’s win at Swansea City. This has now been granted to Elliot Ward.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City

Joleon Lescott was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) in the final match of the Gameweek. Lescott’s performance proved pivotal as his side moved two points clear at the top of the table. He grabbed the only goal in the league leaders’ win at Villa Park, in addition to making 2 clearances, 2 blocks and an interception, and has now returned BP in three of the last four Gameweeks. David Silva picked up a couple of BP. The visitors’ playmaker had 51 completed passes, 2 shots on target and a couple of successful dribbles amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Gareth Barry’s assist for the Lescott goal earned him a single BP.

Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Queens Park Rangers

A strong all-round display from Steven Nzonzi earned the Blackburn midfielder the maximum bonus points (BP) in a five-goal thriller with QPR. Nzonzi notched a goal and assist, supplementing this with 4 successful tackles, a clearance and 8 interceptions to help his side to a crucial three points. Jamie Mackie picked up a couple of BP after an eye-catching performance from the bench. Afforded a mere 25 minutes by Mark Hughes, Mackie scored twice and managed 3 shots on target. Yakubu was awarded a single BP on his return from a three-match suspension. The Nigerian notched the home side’s opener and also won a couple of tackles – he has now racked up 12 BP so far this season.

Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Gary Caldwell picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) as Roberto Martinez’s side won for the first time since Gameweek 15. The Wigan centre-half proved instrumental at both ends of the pitch against Bolton. Not only did Caldwell grab his side’s opening goal, he produced 3 clearances and 3 blocks to keep the Trotters at bay. James McArthur also earned 3 BP, with a goal, 4 interceptions, 2 shots on target and a block amongst the midfielder’s EA SPORTS PPI stats. Victor Moses, with an assist, a shot on target and 6 successful dribbles, picked up the single BP.

Everton 2-0 Chelsea

Both Everton goalscorers were awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as David Moyes’ side extended their unbeaten run to five matches. Denis Stracqualursi excelled up front for the Toffees, with a goal, 4 shots on target, 3 successful tackles and 4 interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Steven Pienaar’s goal, in addition to 9 interceptions and 5 successful dribbles on the Everton left, helped the on-loan South African to a memorable home debut second time around for his former club. Phil Neville’s 13 interceptions, 2 successful tackles and 3 blocks earned him a single BP, his first of the season.

Fulham 2-1 Stoke City

The maximum bonus points (BP) went to Ryan Shawcross, despite his side’s defeat at Fulham. The Stoke centre-half grabbed the Potters’ consolation goal, and also made 2 successful tackles, 6 interceptions and a couple of blocks in the Craven Cottage showdown. A debut goal from Pavel Pogrebnyak helped the Fulham forward to a couple of BP, while Damien Duff was awarded a single BP. The winger had a shot on target, 4 interceptions and a successful dribble amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

Wayne Rooney’s brace was enough to earn the Manchester United forward the maximum bonus points (BP). Rooney had 3 shots on target, in addition to 22 completed passes, and has now returned 20 BP this season; surprisingly, this was the first time he has been awarded 3 BP at Old Trafford. United veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs rolled back the years to pick up a couple of BP apiece. Scholes completed 52 passes, won 3 tackles and managed a shot on target, while Giggs made 3 successful dribbles, 5 crosses and an assist from his left-flank role.

Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal

Aaron Ramsey picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) as Sunderland tasted defeat at home for the first time under Martin O’Neill. Despite a brief 19 minute second-half appearance from the substitute’s bench, Ramsey grabbed a goal, completed 21 passes and made an interception, to help steer Arsenal to victory. Thierry Henry, in the final league match of his loan spell, earned a couple of BP after climbing off the bench to notch his side’s late winner, while Alex Song was awarded a single BP. The midfielder won 6 tackles and made 3 interceptions, in addition to completing 51 passes.

Swansea City 2-3 Norwich City

Grant Holt earned the maximum bonus points (BP) after grabbing a brace at the Liberty Stadium. The Norwich forward managed a total of 3 shots on target and also helped out defensively, making a couple of successful tackles and an interception to pick up his first BP since Gameweek 16. Elliot Ward made his mark on his first appearance of the season. Making his comeback after a long-term knee injury, the Norwich defender provided an assist for the Canaries and proved resilient at the back, with 2 successful tackles, 2 clearances, a couple of interceptions and 4 blocks helping his side to victory. Anthony Pilkington was awarded a single BP, after scoring for the second match in succession. The left winger has now notched 14 BP this term, more than any Norwich player.

Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 Newcastle United

The maximum bonus points (BP) went the way of Emmanuel Adebayor, after the on-loan forward had a hand in all of his side’s 5 goals at White Hart Lane. Adebayor returned 4 assists and a goal against Newcastle and has now earned 21 BP for the season, the same amount as Gareth Bale for Harry Redknapp’s side. Louis Saha was awarded a couple of BP, after the Frenchman produced a sensational home debut. Partnering Adebayor up front, Saha grabbed 2 goals and an assist in a 66 minute appearance. Benoit Assou-Ekotto earned the single BP, with a goal, 34 completed passes, a successful dribble and a cross amongst the left-back’s EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-5 West Bromwich Albion

Peter Odemwingie ran away with the maximum bonus points (BP) after a scintillating display at Molineux. The Nigerian notched a hat-trick, with a total of 7 shots on target, helping him to BP for only the third time this season. Jonas Olsson earned a couple of BP for his display at both ends of the pitch. The West Brom centre-half notched a goal and assist, in addition to making 4 clearances. Keith Andrews had a debut to remember for the visitors. On as a second half substitute, the Irishman returned a goal and assist, picking up a single BP in the process.

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