Recovered from Sunday? Knee perfectly rigid? Wildcard intact? Good. The morning has broken and, unlike the first morning, the FPL Bonus has been dropped into the game, revising our Gameweek three totals.
Here’s a quick glance at how the Bonus appears to pan out with our Gameweek review over on the FPL site to follow later today.
Aston Villa vs Wolves
Berra (3) Ward (3), Agbonlahor, Hennessey, Hunt (1)
One of only two matches where the bonus points were spread. Christophe Berra and Stephen Ward share the maximum with identical EA SPORTS PPI scores on the day. Gabby Agbonlahor was Villa’s top Index earner, sharing a single bonus point with Hennessey and Hunt of Wolves. Shay Given and Stephen Warnock just missed out on joining the party.
Blackburn vs Everton
Baines, Howard (2), Arteta (2)
Food for thought for those who are looking to free up some cash by shipping out Leighton Baines. Clearly, when Everton keep a cleanie, Baines is firmly in the hat for bonus points. He pips team-mates Howard and Arteta here in what was a very fortunate win for David Moyes’ side. Neville and Distin were just outside the bonus awards – Mauro Formica was Blackburn’s leading EA SPORTS PPI candidate.
Chelsea vs Norwich
Lampard, Bosingwa, Holt
No surprises here. Frank Lampard was back amongst the big scorers and, in any other Gameweek, would have attracted more Fantasy headlines. Jose Bosingwa’s renaissance continues with further bonus recognition, while Norwich are represented by skipper Grant Holt who just edges out Ramires to claim a single bonus point. Significantly, Juan Mata put in a strong EA INDEX PPI score (21) in just 34 minutes on the pitch.
Liverpool vs Bolton
Henderson, Skrtel, Adam
The three goalscorers share the bonus – again, perhaps not a major surprise. The absence of Luis Suarez will disappoint plenty however – with no goal or assist to show for his efforts, the Uruguayan’s display was not recognised by a strong EA SPORTS PPI leaving him well short of bonus recognition. A contentious issue and certainly this week’s major talking point when it comes to the bonus awards – would the old system had awarded Suarez bonus? We can only speculate but clearly, without a positive goal/assist contribution in the game, players like Suarez will struggle to overcome team-mates who do contribute goals/assists, on pure performance statistics alone.
Man United vs Arsenal
Young, Rooney, Van Persie
No real surprises here given the avalanche of points hoovered up by Young and Rooney. Robin Van Persie’s bonus over other United candidates will raise a few eyebrows given that he missed a first-half penalty. Clearly his goal and overall contribution was enough to see off Anderson who figured next in the EA SPORTS PPI from this match.
Newcastle vs Fulham
Best, Cabaye, Gutierrez
There can be no such quibbles here. Leon Best’s brace earns him maximum bonus recognition while Cabaye and Gutierrez – two of Newcastle’s most consistent performers so far this season, fetch the remaining supplementary points. Danny Murphy was Fulham’s top scoring EA SPORTS PPI performer on the day, behind a host of Newcastle players who dominated matters statistically.
Swansea vs Sunderland
Taylor, Brown, Rangel
Swansea’s attacking full-backs, so involved in the Brendan Rodgers masterplan, suck up two lots of bonus awards from the 0-0 draw with Sunderland. Interestingly, Taylor is now looks assured of starts following Alan Tate’s bizarre golfing accident. Wes Brown was again the standout performer for the visitors. Michel Vorm again registered a double figure EA SPORTS PPI score as his impressive season continues.
Tottenham vs Man City
Dzeko, Nasri, Kompany
City’s reborn centre-forward dominates, returning a huge EA SPORTS PPI score to claim the maximum bonus award. Samir Nasri’s hat-trick of assists has him placed in second on a fine City debut, while Vincent Kompany is again the top City defender on the index, claiming a single bonus, despite conceding. Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure were next for City in the rankings, with Tottenham’s Younnes Kaboul their only representative in the top ten from this match.
Wigan vs QPR
Di Santo, Rodallega, Boyce
Franco Di Santo’s brace has him well out in front when it comes to bonus awards from Wigan’s 2-0 win over QPR. Hugo Rodallega and Emmerson Boyce join the party in a Latics clean sweep. Shaun Derry was the visitors shining light as Wigan dominated the EA SPORTS PPI rankings here. Adel Taarabt again paying the price for off target efforts in a defeat – despite presenting QPR’s biggest threat on the day.
West Brom vs Stoke
Shawcross, Jones (2), Shotton (2)
A miserable display by the Baggies sees Stoke monopolising the bonus awards and the EA SPORTS PPI rankings. Tony Pulis’ side grabbed the three points with a late goal with Ryan Shawcross taking the defensive plaudits. Kenwyne Jones and goalscorer Ryan Shotton shared 2 bonus points, just edging out Asmir Begovic in the index.
