The Scout reviews Gameweek 16

Robert Snodgrass tops the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for Gameweek 16 following a sensational all-round display in Norwich City's win at Swansea City. Chelsea's Fernando Torres sits in second spot after producing 2 goals and an assist against Sunderland, while Wayne Rooney completes the top three with a brace in the Manchester derby.

Talking Points

As usual, The Scout begins by clearing up any queries concerning points awards over the previous round of matches.

There was only one matter that required clarification from the weekend's action. This occurred at the Etihad Stadium, where Rafael was awarded the assist for Robin Van Persie's late free-kick winner. As a foul on the Brazilian led directly to the free-kick award, he collected the assist, as explained by the rules:

In the event of a penalty or free-kick, the player earning the penalty or free-kick gets an assist if a goal is directly scored, but not if he takes it himself, in which case no assist is given.

Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Mikel Arteta picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday's showdown at the Emirates Stadium. The midfielder slotted home a pair of spot-kicks and also impressed defensively, with 3 successful tackles, a couple of clearances and 6 interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Arsenal full-backs Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs both earned a couple of BP for similar displays down the flank. Sagna produced 3 successful tackles, 6 interceptions and 19 completed passes, while Gibbs made 3 successful tackles, 4 interceptions and completed 22 passes.

Aston Villa 0-0 Stoke City

Matthew Lowton collected the maximum bonus points (BP) in the goalless midlands derby at Villa Park. The right-back had a shot on target, a couple of successful tackles and 19 completed passes amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while a trio of players picked up 2 BP apiece. Brad Guzan made 4 saves (including caught crosses), Brett Holman produced a shot on target, a successful tackle and 26 completed passes, while a successful tackle, a clearance and a block from Geoff Cameron helped the Potters to their eighth clean sheet of the campaign.

Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Steven Pienaar picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) as Everton won for the first time since Gameweek 11. Grabbing only his second goal of the season, the South African also made a couple of successful tackles, 5 interceptions and 25 completed passes for the Toffees, while Clint Dempsey collected a couple of BP for the visitors. The US international opening the scoring and also had 2 shots on target and a couple of interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats – he has now produced attacking returns in each of his last four appearances. Nikica Jelavic's winner, in addition to a couple of shots on target, helped the Everton forward to a single BP.

Fulham 2-1 Newcastle United

Damien Duff and Steve Sidwell both collected the maximum bonus points (BP) as Fulham ended a seven-match winless run on Monday evening. Duff provided a pair of assists and delivered 7 crosses from wide right – he now has returned 66 points, more than any player for the Cottagers. In a strong all-round showing, Sidwell supplemented a goal with 2 shots on target, 4 successful tackles and a couple of clearances, while Hugo Rodallega earned a single BP after nodding home the winner.

Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United

Wayne Rooney earned the maximum bonus points (BP) for the second Gameweek in a row in Sunday's Manchester derby. Rooney bagged a brace and also completed 20 passes – he has now received 13 BP this season. A pair of assists and 2 successful tackles helped Rafael to a couple of BP, while Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta both received a single BP after grabbing a goal apiece for the beaten hosts.

Southampton 1-0 Reading

Jason Puncheon received the maximum bonus points (BP) as Southampton climbed out the bottom three with a crucial home win. The right winger notched the only goal of the match and supplemented this with 3 shots on target, 5 interceptions and 3 successful tackles, while Luke Shaw earned a couple of BP for a stand-out defensive display. The left-back made 6 successful tackles, 22 interceptions and a couple of blocks to collect his first BP of the season in his sixth consecutive start for Nigel Adkins' side. An assist, a successful tackle and 3 interceptions helped Nathaniel Clyne to a single BP for the hosts – the right-back also produced 23 completed passes and 3 crosses.

Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea

Fernando Torres collected the maximum bonus points (BP) as Chelsea chalked up their first league victory under Rafa Benitez. Finding the net for the first time since Gameweek 7, Torres bagged a brace and also provided an assist, in addition to making 2 successful tackles and 3 interceptions, while Juan Mata was awarded a couple of BP. The midfielder notched his sixth goal of the season and supplemented this with 43 completed passes, 3 interceptions and 3 crosses to move to 88 points for the campaign. Adam Johnson received a single bonus point after firing home the beaten hosts' consolation goal. In a busy performance, the winger also had 2 shots on target, a successful tackle, a couple of interceptions and 3 successful dribbles amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Sunderland 3-0 Reading

James McClean was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) in the final match of the Gameweek. The winger grabbed the opener and also produced 4 shots on target, a couple of successful tackles and three crosses, while a goal, a clearance and a block earned fit-again Steven Fletcher a couple of BP – he is now joint-top for BP this season, with 18 points accrued. Carlos Cuellar received a single BP; the centre-half had an assist, 2 successful tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 clearances and a block amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Swansea City 3-4 Norwich City

Robert Snodgrass earned the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday's thriller at the Liberty Stadium. The Norwich midfielder produced a goal and pair of assists and supplemented this with 3 shots on target, 4 successful tackles and 5 interceptions in a superb all-round showing – he has now received 12 BP for the season, more than any Canaries player. Grant Holt awarded a couple of BP after he also returned a goal and 2 assists, while Seb Bassong's third goal in four matches helped the centre-half to a single BP as Chris Hughton's side extended their unbeaten run to nine matches.

West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool

Glen Johnson was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Liverpool battled to a win at West Ham on Sunday. The full-back scored his first goal of the season and also made 23 passes and a successful dribble against his former club – he has now returned back-to-back double figure hauls for his 1.9% Fantasy owners. Joe Cole picked up a couple of BP in his fourth substitute appearance of the campaign. Climbing off the bench for the injured Jose Enrique, Cole produced a goal and a successful tackle, while a goal and 7 successful tackles earned Mark Noble a single BP for the beaten hosts.

Wigan Athletic 2-2 Queens Park Rangers

James McCarthy picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) after opening his scoring account for the season at the DW Stadium. McCarthy scored both Wigan's goals and also had 3 shots on target, a couple of successful tackles and 5 interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Ryan Nelsen received a couple of BP for the visitors. The centre-half grabbed a goal and also produced a successful tackle, a couple of clearances and 10 interceptions as QPR extended their unbeaten run to three matches under Harry Redknapp. Djibril Cisse earned a single BP after emerging from the bench to notch his second goal of the season.

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