The Scout reviews Gameweek 18

Steven Gerrard tops the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for Gameweek 18 after producing a goal and a pair of assists in Liverpool’s Anfield triumph over Fulham. A goal and assist in Everton’s win at West Ham United earns Steven Pienaar second spot, while Ramires completes the top three after climbing off the bench to bag a brace in Chelsea’s hammering of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 8-0 Aston Villa

Ramires received the maximum bonus points in Chelsea’s demolition of Aston Villa. Introduced with 33 minutes remaining, the Brazilian bagged a brace and also won a couple of tackles to pick up a 14 point haul – double his previous highest return for the season. A goal and assist helped Eden Hazard to a couple of BP; despite climbing to third in the midfield rankings on 102 points, the Belgian has picked up only 8 BP so far. Gary Cahill was awarded a single BP for the hosts, with a goal and a couple of blocks amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Liverpool 4-0 Fulham

Steven Gerrard earned the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday evening’s match at Anfield. The Liverpool skipper produced a goal and pair of assists and supplemented this with 3 shots on target and 40 completed passes, to earn 17 points – his first double figure haul of the season. A goal and 4 shots on target helped Luis Suarez to a couple of BP, while Martin Skrtel picked up a single BP after a strong showing at both ends of the pitch. The centre-half grabbed the hosts’ opener and also had 2 shots on target, a couple of successful tackles, 3 clearances and an interception amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Manchester City 1-0 Reading

Gareth Barry collected the maximum bonus points (BP) after helping secure a late win for the champions at the Etihad Stadium. The midfielder notched the hosts’ only goal and supplemented this with a couple of shots on target, a successful tackle, 9 interceptions and 46 completed passes, while David Silva earned a couple of BP. The playmaker supplied the assist for Barry’s goal and also had 3 interceptions and 61 completed passes amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while a successful tackle, 3 interceptions and 73 completed passes helped Yaya Toure to a single BP – he now has 17 BP for the season.

Newcastle United 1-0 Queens Park Rangers

Shola Ameobi and Tim Krul both picked up the maximum bonus points as Newcastle ended the visitors’ unbeaten record under Harry Redknapp. Climbing off the bench to replace Papiss Cisse, Ameobi grabbed the hosts’ late winner and also had a couple of shots on target over his 36 minutes on the pitch, while Krul’s 5 saves (including caught crosses) helped the Magpies to their third clean sheet of the campaign. Adel Taarabt earned a single BP for QPR, with 2 shots on target, 5 interceptions and a block amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Southampton 0-1 Sunderland

Stephane Sessegnon was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Sunderland secured a vital victory at St Mary’s Stadium. In a busy performance, the midfielder had an assist, a shot on target, a successful dribble, 2 crosses, a successful tackle and 3 clearances amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Steven Fletcher earned a couple of BP. The forward scored the only goal of the match and also made a couple of clearances and 5 interceptions – he has now received 20 BP, the second highest haul of any forward. James McClean picked up a single BP for a crucial contribution on the visitors’ left flank – he produced 3 successful tackles, 5 interceptions, a couple of successful dribbles and 4 crosses.

Swansea City 1-1 Manchester United

Ashley Williams collected the maximum bonus points (BP) as Swansea ended Manchester United’s five-match winning streak on Sunday afternoon. An outstanding display at the heart of the hosts defence saw the centre-half produce 4 interceptions, a couple of clearances and 8 blocks, defying the league leaders time and again. Patrice Evra picked up a couple of BP, with a goal and 3 crosses amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats – he has now received 10 BP this term, while Michu’s thirteenth goal of the season earned the Spaniard a single BP and took his total to 117 points, just one behind Robin Van Persie at the top of the overall standings.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Stoke City

Glenn Whelan received the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday’s goalless draw at White Hart Lane. The Stoke midfielder produced 5 successful tackles, 3 interceptions, a couple of clearances and 3 blocks in a battling performance for the visitors, while Asmir Begovic picked up a couple of BP, with 9 saves (including caught crosses) earning the Potters their ninth clean sheet of the campaign. Robert Huth was awarded a single BP for a crucial defensive display for the visitors – the centre-half made 2 successful tackles, a couple of clearances, 6 interceptions and 3 blocks.

West Ham United 1-2 Everton

Steven Pienaar collected the maximum bonus points (BP) as Everton won on the road for the first time since Gameweek 5. In an eye-catching all-round display, the midfielder produced a goal and assist in addition to 3 shots on target, 3 successful tackles, an interception and a couple of successful dribbles – he has now scored or assisted in each of the last three Gameweeks. A trio of Everton players all picked up a couple of BP. Johnny Heitinga produced 4 interceptions and a couple of blocks in a defiant defensive display, Leon Osman had an assist, a shot on target and a couple of interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Victor Anichebe grabbed a goal in his first appearance since Gameweek 8.

West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Norwich City

Robert Snodgrass received the maximum bonus points (BP) for a superb display at the Hawthorns. Going forward, the Norwich winger produced a goal, 2 shots on target, a pair of successful dribbles and 7 crosses, while he also made a successful tackle, 3 interceptions and a block – his 10 point return means he has produced double figures in three of his last five matches. Romelu Lukaku picked up a couple of BP as the hosts ended their visitors’ 10-match unbeaten run. In his first start since Gameweek 14, the Belgian had a goal and 3 shots on target amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while an assist, 3 clearances, 17 interceptions and a blocked earned Jonas Olsson a single BP for the Baggies.

Wigan Athletic 0-1 Arsenal

Mikel Arteta was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Arsenal won for the third match in succession. The midfielder notched the match-winner from the penalty spot and also completed 32 passes at the DW Stadium – he has now earned 9 BP this term. Bacary Sagna received a couple of BP, with 4 successful tackles, a clearance, a block and 35 completed passes amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Kieran Gibbs picked up a single BP. The left-back produced 2 successful tackles, a couple of clearances, a pair of interceptions and a block to help the Gunners earn their sixth clean sheet of the season.

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