The Scout reviews Gameweek 4

With a thrilling draw at Goodison Park between Everton and Newcastle United completing the Gameweek, The Scout reviews the fixtures gone by:

Alexander Buttner tops the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index after a swashbuckling debut at left-back in Manchester United’s 4-0 home win over Wigan Athletic. Dimitar Berbatov and Gervinho complete the top three after bagging a brace apiece in victories over West Bromwich Albion and Southampton respectively.

Arsenal 6-1 Southampton

Gervinho was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Arsenal swept aside Southampton at the Emirates Stadium. Handed a role as the lone striker, the Ivorian scored twice in addition to making 29 successful passes and a successful dribble, while Lukas Podolski picked up a couple of BP. The summer signing from Cologne fired home a superb free-kick and also registered 2 shots on target to take his tally to 5 BP for the season – more than any Gunners’ player. A pair of assists, 3 successful tackles and 5 interceptions helped Kieran Gibbs to a single BP.

Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea City

Matthew Lowton earned the maximum bonus points (BP) as Aston Villa registered their first win of the new campaign. Firing home the opener from outside the box, the right-back posed Michael Laudrup’s side plenty problems with 2 shots and a couple of crosses, while Lowton also helped out defensively with a successful tackle and 7 interceptions. A trio of home players were awarded a couple of BP apiece. Ciaran Clark made 4 successful tackles and 5 interceptions at the back to deny the free-scoring Welsh club, while 3 shots on target is indicative of the goal threat that saw the centre-half score in his previous Gameweek. Barry Bannan produced assist, in addition to 5 interceptions and 4 crosses, and Karim El-Ahmadi registered a shot on target, 3 successful tackles, 6 interceptions and 28 completed passes from central midfield.

Everton 2-2 Newcastle United

Demba Ba received the maximum bonus points (BP) after climbing off the bench to earn Newcastle a draw at Goodison Park. Installed in a front two alongside Papiss Cisse as Alan Pardew reverted back to 4-4-2, the forward scored both his side’s goals and has now earned 6 BP so far this season. Leighton Baines picked up a couple of BP for another strong all-round display. The Everton left-back opened the scoring and also had a successful tackle, 2 clearances, 5 crosses and 29 completed passes amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Victor Anichebe was awarded a single BP after producing a goal and 2 shots on target following his introduction from the bench.

Fulham 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Dimitar Berbatov picked up the maximum bonus points on his home debut for Fulham. The Bulgarian notched twice to end the visitors’ unbeaten run and impressed all-round, with 5 shots on target, 35 completed passes, a couple of interceptions and 2 successful tackles amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats. Steve Sidwell was awarded a couple of BP, with a goal, 5 successful tackles, 8 interceptions and 40 successful passes, while Alex Kacaniklic earned a single BP after providing a pair of assists and 3 crosses for the hosts.

Manchester United 4-0 Wigan Athletic

Alexander Buttner earned the maximum bonus points (BP) with an eye-catching debut display at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. The left-back impressed at both ends of the pitch against Wigan –providing a goal and assist in the 4-0 win, he also registered 5 crosses and a couple of successful dribbles going forward, while at the back, Buttner’s 3 successful tackles, 4 interceptions and a block helped his side return their first clean sheet of the season. Javier Hernandez was awarded a couple of BP with a goal, an assist, 2 successful tackles and 4 interceptions amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Paul Scholes picked up a single BP for his 72-minute contribution. The midfielder also found the net, supplementing this with 2 shots on target, a couple of successful tackles and 4 interceptions.

Norwich City 0-0 West Ham United

Ricardo Vaz Te picked up the maximum bonus points (BP) in the Saturday lunchtime stalemate at Carrow Road. The West Ham forward had a shot on target, a block and 4 crosses amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Jussi Jaaskelainen and Mark Noble were awarded a couple of BP apiece for the visitors. The former made 7 saves to help his side to a third clean sheet in the first four Gameweeks and is the top scoring goalkeeper so far with 25 points – Noble’s all-round display saw him manage 2 successful tackles, a couple of clearances, 21 completed passes and a shot on target.

Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Chelsea

Ryan Nelsen earned the maximum bonus points (BP) for a crucial contribution at the back in Saturday’s goalless draw at Loftus Road. The QPR centre-half produced 4 interceptions, a successful tackle and a couple of blocks to help his side register a clean sheet, while Ashley Cole was awarded a couple of BP for a similar display for the visitors. The left-back made 2 successful tackles, a couple of interceptions and a block to edge out a trio of players on a single BP. Julio Cesar produced 5 saves on his debut for Mark Hughes’ side, Bobby Zamora registered 2 shots on target, a clearance and a block, while David Luiz made 6 interceptions and a couple of blocks as the Blues registered their third clean sheet in four matches.

Reading 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale was awarded the maximum bonus points (BP) as Tottenham registered their first win under Andre Villas-Boas. The Welshman grabbed a goal and also produced a successful tackle, 2 crosses and a successful dribble against the Royals, while Kyle Walker earned a couple of BP. The full-back provided an assist and supplemented this with strong defensive work, including 7 clearances and a block. Sandro was awarded a single BP after producing a successful tackle, a clearance and 24 completed passes but, despite scoring 2 of his side’s 3 goals, Jermain Defoe failed to pick up any BP. The forward’s 6 shots off target denting his EA SPORTS PPI score.

Stoke City 1-1 Manchester City

Peter Crouch was amongst the bonus points once again as Stoke held the champions at the Britannia. The 6.5 priced forward produced a goal, 2 shots on target, a successful tackle and 5 interceptions to pick up the maximum BP – he has now earned 8 BP this season, more than any player in the Barclays Premier League. A couple of the visitors’ summer signings picked up BP in their first match for Manchester City. Javi Garcia’s goal, in addition to 3 shots on target, 3 successful tackles and 4 interceptions helped him to a couple of BP, while Maicon was awarded a single BP. The right-back impressed defensively, with 3 successful tackles, a clearance, a couple of interceptions and a block amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats.

Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool

Steven Fletcher picked up the maximum BP in Saturday evening’s draw at the Stadium of Light. The Sunderland forward scored with his only effort of the match and also produced a couple of clearances – he has now returned maximum BP in both his appearances since moving to Wearside from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Martin Skrtel earned a couple of BP, with a shot on target, a clearance and a couple of crucial blocks amongst his EA SPORTS PPI stats, while Luis Suarez, with a goal, 3 shots on target and 3 successful dribbles, was awarded a single BP.

Related articles