Player Performance Index | EPL Week 37 Star Line Up

• Manchester City are now just 1 victory away from securing their first Premier League title after a Yaya Toure double secured a crucial 2-0 victory at high flying Newcastle at St James Park. Toure moves up 11 places in The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index into 15th spot and is now the 9th highest ranked midfielder in the index ranking. According to The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index the Ivory Coast International made 53 attacking runs during the game; 50 of these runs were done without the ball at his feet and just 3 runs done with the ball at his feet.

• Gareth Barry has been an unsung hero in the middle of the park for City this season with his work rate and ability to break down the oppositions attacks. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index once again shows he put in a good shift by covering a total distance of 5.75 miles during the game; this was more than any other player covered for Manchester City in the match.

Manchester United vs. Swansea

• Manchester United moved level on points with leaders Manchester City with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Swansea. Paul Scholes scored his 4th goal of the Premier League season in what was his 16th appearance in the league since his comeback from retirement. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us that Scholes is as crucial as ever to the Manchester United side. Since his return to the side he has made a total of 557 passes in his 1127 minutes of Premier League football, this means he is currently averaging a pass every 2 minutes of play which suggests he looks to receive the ball at every opportunity he gets.
 

Blackburn vs. Wigan
 

• Wigan ensured their Premier League status for next season and condemned Blackburn to relegation after a tense display at Ewood Park. Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz grabbed the all-important goal for his team which was just his second goal of the season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that this season Alcarez has had to make a total of 64 tackles and has won 52 of these giving him a tackle won percentage of 82%; this is the best tackles won percentage of any Wigan defender this season.

Arsenal vs. Norwich
 

• A thrilling 3-3 draw at The Emirates Stadium ensured that there will be a exciting finish to the season for that fight for a Champions League spot. Robin Van Persie was again on hand with two lovely finishes to take him to the 30 goal mark for the season. The Dutchman moves back to the top spot in The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index rankings over taking Wayne Rooney who drops into second place. Van Persie has had 101 shots hit the target out of his 158 attempts at goal this season;  this is more than any other Premier League player has managed. Wayne Rooney has had the second highest shots on target (91 shots on target from 136 attempts) and Clint Dempsey in 3rd (88 shots on target from 139 attempts) 

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

• Liverpool gained some revenge for their FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea by ending the Blues hopes of grabbing 4th place finish with a 4-1 victory at Anfield.  Jonjo Shelvey scored a fantastic goal for Liverpool and certainly looked lively throughout the game. According to The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Shelvey covered 5.71 miles which was more than any other player covered during the game.

• Andy Carroll is making a late push to be included in Roy Hodgson’s EURO2012 squad after an impressive display. Prior to the game the striker was receiving the ball on average 27 times per game from his team mates. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index interestingly shows that he received the ball 51 times during the match against Chelsea which suggests that his regained confidence is allowing him to get himself more involved in games.