Player Performance Index | EPL Week 22 Star Line Up
Tom Henderson
2012-01-23
The latest round of Barclays Premier League football was once again an entertaining and fascinating one as the title race heats up.
Stand out performers this weekend were Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark, James Collins and loanee hero Robbie Keane in their dramatic game against Wolves.
Antonio Valencia's header just before half time in Manchester United's great win over Arsenal means a spot for him on the wing. Clint Dempsey's hat-trick for Fulham (the highest PPI scoring player) and Bobby Zamora's sensational game up front earn them both a starting berth. And Bolton's team sprit lifting win over Liverpool means Adam Bogdan keeps goal.
Here's this week's team in full.
With thanks to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, here are this weekend's interesting facts.
Bolton vs. Liverpool
• Bolton secured a vital 3 points against Liverpool in windy conditions at The Reebok Stadium during game week 22. Interestingly The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the wind may have had an effect on the players energy levels as Liverpool covered the least distance as a team during game week 22 covering 51.58 miles with Bolton covering the 2nd least (51.75 miles).
• The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has made 29 saves in the 382 minutes he has been on the pitch for Bolton this season. This means he is having to make a save every 13 minutes.
Sunderland vs. Swansea
• Stephane Sessegnon scored one and set one up as Sunderland continued there impressive form under new manger Martin O’Neill with a 2-0 victory over Swansea. According to the EA SPORTS Player performance Index Sessegnon covered 5.65 miles during the match; team mate Lee Cattermole was the only other Sunderland player to cover more distance during the game. This suggests that Sessegnon is working hard for the team as well as providing the all-important goals and assists.
• Robbie Keane showed he still has the magic touch as he scored twice to ensure Villa came from behind to beat Wolves 3-2. From his 5 shots on goal 4 of them hit the target. The lively Irishman averaged a speed of 3.99mph during the game according to The EA SPORTS Player performance Index with Villa averaging 2.64mph as a team.
Norwich vs. Chelsea
• Norwich City secured a well-deserved point against a strong Chelsea team as they continued their impressive season back in the top flight. According to The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Chelsea averaged a speed of 2.95mph as a team during the game with Norwich averaging 2.91mph. Both these averages were higher than any other Premier League team during game week 22.
• Chelsea’s Juan Mata travelled 7.35 miles during the game, according to The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index this is the highest distance covered by a Premier League player during game week 22.
Arsenal vs. Man Utd
• Manchester United recorded an important victory over their old rivals Arsenal to keep chase with league leaders Man City. Arsenal’s speedy winger Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain made his first Premier League start and The EA SPORTS Player Performance shows that during the game he reached a top speed of 22.11mph. This was the fastest top speed recorded by any player during the game. It was QPR’s Joey Barton who recorded the fastest speed out of any Premier League player during game week 22 reaching 23.2mph.
Manchester City vs. Tottenham
• Manchester City showed signs of potential champions as they edged a thrilling game to win 3-2 courtesy of a 90th minute Mario Balotelli penalty against a brave Spurs side. Samir Nasri, who scored in all 3 games that he played against Spurs last season, was in the thick of the action and scored City’s first with a well taken goal.
• According to The EA SPORT Player performance Index the Frenchman made 44 passes during the game taking his total passes for the season to 586 in the 17 games he has played in the Premier League. Only David Silva has made more passes for City this season having made 743 passes in his 22 Premier League appearances. Interestingly that means Nasri averages 34.47 passes per game with Silva averaging 33.77 passes.
