The Scout reviews Gameweek 23

Steven Fletcher leads the way in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index after bagging a brace in Sunderland’s 3-2 win at Wigan Athletic. Jonathan de Guzman sits in second spot, having found the net twice in Swansea City’s home victory over Stoke City, while David Silva completes the top three, thanks to a double in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal 5-1 West Ham United

Olivier Giroud earned the maximum bonus points (BP) in the final match of the Gameweek on Wednesday evening. Starting up front for the second match in succession, the Frenchman scored with both his attempts on goal and also made 3 clearances as Arsenal bounced back from their weekend defeat at Chelsea. A goal and 3 assists helped Lukas Podolski to a couple of BP – he has now produced double figure returns in three of his last six appearances – while Theo Walcott collected a single BP after supplying a goal and assist in the rout.

Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Juan Mata was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Chelsea won at Stamford Bridge for only the second time under Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard produced a goal, 2 successful tackles and 37 completed passes and has now moved 7 points clear of Michu at the top of the midfielder standings, on 137 points. A converted spot-kick and 3 successful tackles helped Frank Lampard to a couple of BP for the hosts, while Eden Hazard picked up a single BP, with 2 shots on target, 20 completed passes and a successful dribble amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Liverpool 5-0 Norwich City

Luis Suarez collected the maximum bonus points (BP) in Liverpool’s emphatic win at Anfield. Moved to a deeper role to accommodate Daniel Sturridge, the Uruguayan grabbed a goal and also registered 3 shots on target, a couple of interceptions, 4 successful dribbles and 4 crosses and has now picked up 22 BP this term, more than his total for the previous campaign. Jordan Henderson was awarded a couple of BP after producing a goal, 2 shots on target and 5 interceptions, while Steven Gerrard received a single BP. The Reds’ skipper had a goal and 3 successful tackles amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats and has now scored or assisted in nine of the last 10 Gameweeks.

Manchester City 2-0 Fulham

David Silva received the maximum bonus points (BP) for the first time this season as the champions registered their fourth successive victory on Saturday afternoon. Silva scored both his side’s goals and also supplied a pair of crosses against the Cottagers, while Gael Clichy and Matija Nastasic both picked up a couple of BP. The left-back produced a successful tackle and 4 interceptions to help the hosts to their tenth clean sheet of the campaign and also had a successful dribble and 4 crosses amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Nastasic made 3 clearances, an interception and a block.

Newcastle United 1-2 Reading

Adam Le Fondre collected the maximum bonus points (BP) as Reading won on the road for the first time this term. Climbing off the bench with 24 minutes remaining, Le Fondre grabbed both the Royals’ goals, while Yohan Cabaye earned a couple of BP for the hosts. In his first start since Gameweek 11, the Frenchman fired home the Magpies’ opener and also had 3 shots on target and 4 interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici earned a single BP thanks to his heroics between the posts, after making 11 saves (including caught crosses) to defy the Magpies time and again.

Southampton 0-0 Everton

Phil Jagielka received the maximum bonus points (BP) in Monday evening’s goalless draw at St Mary’s Stadium. In a resilient display at the heart of the visitors’ defence, Jagielka produced 2 successful tackles, 3 clearances, an interception and 3 blocks to deny the Saints in Mauricio Pochettino’s first match in charge. Marouane Fellaini earned a couple of BP, with 2 shots on target, 3 successful tackles and 3 crosses amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while a couple of shots on target and a successful tackle helped Gaston Ramirez to a single BP for the hosts.

Swansea City 3-1 Stoke City

Jonathan de Guzman picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) as Swansea won at the Liberty Stadium for only the second time since Gameweek 8. The Dutchman scored twice and also made a successful tackle and 4 interception to limit the Potters to a single goal, while Ben Davies earned a couple of BP for a strong all-round display at left-back for the hosts. Davies grabbed a goal and supplemented this with 2 shots on target, 3 successful tackles, 5 interceptions and a couple of successful dribbles, while fellow full-back Angel Rangel collected a single BP, with a successful tackle, a clearance, 4 interceptions, 2 successful dribbles and 4 crosses amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester United

Robin Van Persie was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Manchester United’s four-match winning run came to an end at White Hart Lane. The Dutchman opened the scoring for the visitors and also produced 2 shots on target, 3 clearances and a couple of crosses – he has now earned 28 BP in his debut season for the Red Devils. An impressive midfield display helped Phil Jones to a couple of BP. Sitting in front of the back-four alongside Michael Carrick, Jones made a successful tackle, an interception and 5 blocks to limit the hosts to a single strike, while a goal and 6 shots on target helped Clint Dempsey to a single BP.

West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Aston Villa

Christian Benteke received the maximum bonus points (BP) in Saturday evening’s midlands derby at the Hawthorns. The Belgian rifled home a stunning strike for the visitors and also produced 2 shots on target and a clearance, while a goal and 2 shots on target helped Gabby Agbonlahor to a couple of BP for Paul Lambert’s side. Baggies midfielder Chris Brunt picked up a single BP, with a goal, 2 shots on target and 5 crosses amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

West Ham United 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Joe Cole collected the maximum bonus points (BP) in his first home league appearance since returning to West Ham earlier this month. The midfielder grabbed the Hammers equaliser and also produced 3 shots on target, 32 completed passes and 5 crosses, while an assist, a shot on target, an interception and a successful dribble helped Adel Taarabt to a couple of BP for QPR. Loic Remy and Carlton Cole were both awarded a single BP. The Frenchman produced a goal and 3 shots on target on his debut for Harry Redknapp’s side, while Cole emerged with 33 minutes remaining to register an assist, a shot on target and an interception for the hosts.

Wigan Athletic 2-3 Sunderland

Steven Fletcher earned the maximum bonus points (BP) as Sunderland edged past Wigan at the DW Stadium. The Scotsman scored twice and also produced 3 shots on target and a pair of blocks against the Latics – he has now earned 23 BP in his debut season for the Black Cats. A converted spot-kick, 3 successful tackles, an interception and a block helped Craig Gardner to a couple of BP, while Adam Johnson was awarded a single BP for the visitors. Shifted over to the left flank as James McClean dropped to the bench, Johnson provided an assist and also had a successful tackle, a clearance, a successful dribble and a cross amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Related articles