The Scout reviews Gameweek 2

Steven Pienaar tops the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for Gameweek 2 as The Scout reviews the nine Barclays Premier League matches across the weekend. The South African’s all-round display against Aston Villa just edges Fernando Torres’ goal and assist display against Newcastle United into second place, while Swansea City right-back Angel Rangel completes the top three with a goal and clean sheet return in the win over West Ham United.

Talking points

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

The first point of note came in Swansea City’s 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, where Angel Rangel was awarded a goal for his side’s opener. Although his effort was deflected into the net by keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, the right-back’s shot was initially deemed to be on target and thus a goal was awarded to the Spaniard, as opposed to an assist for a Jaaskelainen own goal.

The first point of note came in Swansea City’s 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, where Angel Rangel was awarded a goal for his side’s opener. Although his effort was deflected into the net by keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, the right-back’s shot was initially deemed to be on target and thus a goal was awarded to the Spaniard, as opposed to an assist for a Jaaskelainen own goal.

Aston Villa 1-3 Everton

Steven Pienaar earned the maximum bonus points (BP) in Everton’s win at Villa Park after a commanding performance against Paul Lambert’s side. Going forward, Pienaar opened the scoring with a superb strike and managed 2 shots on target and a couple of successful dribbles, while 8 interceptions and a successful tackle was indicative of the South African’s work-rate. Leighton Baines earned a couple of BP for a similarly strong display. The full-back provided 3 crosses and an assist for the Toffees, with 3 successful tackles, 7 interceptions and a block also amongst his EA SPORTS Player Performance Index stats; the 7.0 priced defender has already returned 5 BP in the first two Gameweeks. Marouane Fellaini was awarded a single BP after scoring in back-to-back Gameweeks – the Belgian also produced 4 successful tackles and 8 interceptions in a typically industrious showing.

Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United

Fernando Torres was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Roberto Di Matteo’s side continued their winning start to the season. The Chelsea forward returned a goal and assist for his Fantasy owners and supplemented this with a couple of crosses and 2 successful dribbles. Eden Hazard picked up a couple of BP with a goal and assist in the 2-0 win; in a sensational start to his career in the Barclays Premier League, the Belgian has now produced double figure points hauls in all three of his appearances. Ryan Bertrand earned a single BP for the home side. Handed a starting role on the left of the Blues’ attacking midfield three, he fired a couple of shots on target and also had a successful tackle and block amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Carlos Tevez earned the maximum bonus points (BP) for his performance in Sunday’s draw at Anfield. The Argentine grabbed the equaliser and supplied an assist for his side’s first goal, in addition to making 3 crosses and 28 successful passes. Yaya Toure and Martin Skrtel both picked up a couple of BP apiece for their respective displays. The Man City midfielder produced 41 completed passes and also found the net – he has now notched back-to-back bonus returns. Skrtel stood out at both ends of the pitch; he opened the scoring for Brendan Rodgers’ side and also produced 5 clearances, a block and a successful tackle at the back.

Manchester United 3-2 Fulham

The maximum bonus points (BP) were awarded to Robin Van Persie on his home debut for Manchester United. The Dutchman scored with his only effort of the match and also produced 3 crosses and 26 successful passes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side bounced back from their defeat at Everton. Rafael picked up a couple of BP for a swashbuckling display at right-back. The Brazilian found the net and produced 2 shots on target, a successful dribble, a couple of interceptions and 6 successful tackles, just edging ahead of fellow full-back Patrice Evra in the EA SPORTS PPI. Evra earned a single BP after registering 3 successful tackles, 5 interceptions and an assist at Old Trafford.

Norwich City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Bobby Zamora earned the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday’s stalemate at Carrow Road. The QPR forward scored with his only effort on goal and also had a successful cross and clearance amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Canaries midfielder Anthony Pilkington picked up a couple of BP after producing an assist and 5 crosses from his left flank berth, while Robert Snodgrass was awarded a single BP on his home debut for Chris Hughton’s side. The summer signing from Leeds United turned in a strong all-round performance; in addition to winning 3 tackles, he caused the visitors plenty problems throughout, delivering 7 crosses and a couple of successful dribbles.

Southampton 0-2 Wigan Athletic

Maynor Figueroa picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) after producing a strong all-round performance at St Mary’s Stadium. The Latics’ left wing-back managed 2 shots on target and 3 crosses going forward, while 3 successful tackles, 6 interceptions and a block helped his side register a precious clean sheet. Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi earned a couple of BP, with 10 saves defying the Saints time and again, and Shaun Maloney’s assist and 2 successful tackles helped the midfielder to a single BP.

Stoke City 0-0 Arsenal

Unsurprisingly, the bonus points (BP) were shared amongst a trio of defenders in the goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium. Andy Wilkinson was awarded the maximum BP for his display at right-back for the hosts – he produced a couple of successful tackles, 2 interceptions and a block to ensure the Potters registered a clean sheet and also managed a shot on target. Thomas Vermaelen and Carl Jenkinson picked up a couple of BP apiece for the second Gameweek in a row as Arsene Wenger’s side recorded back-to-back clean sheets. Vermaelen’s EA SPORTS PPI stats included a successful tackle, a clearance, an interception and a block, while Jenkinson produced a couple of successful tackles, 26 passes and a cross.

Swansea City 3-0 West Ham United

Angel Rangel earned the maximum bonus points (BP) as Michael Laudrup’s side racked up another emphatic win. The right-back grabbed a goal and was solid defensively, with 2 successful tackles, a clearance and a block ensuring the Swans registered another clean sheet. Michu and Danny Graham were awarded a couple of BP apiece for their displays up front. Michu grabbed a goal and produced a successful tackle and 21 completed passes – he has already returned 28 points for his Fantasy owners in the opening couple of Gameweeks. Graham also found the net, supplementing this with two shots on target and a clearance against the beaten Hammers.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday’s draw at White Hart Lane. The Tottenham left-back opened the scoring against the Baggies and also registered an interception, a block and a successful tackle in the EA SPORTS PPI, while James Morrison earned a couple of BP. The West Brom midfielder grabbed a last-gasp equaliser in addition to producing a successful dribble, a cross and a successful tackle. An assist, 7 clearances and an interception helped defender Gareth McAuley to a single BP for the visitors.

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