Collins’ tackles for West Ham vs Distin’s lack of fouls for Everton
West Ham v Everton 15:00
– West Ham have had some fine moments so far this season, but their 0-0 draw with West Brom last week may not make the highlights reel
– Kevin Nolan has moved up to third in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for distance run so far this season 105.82 miles in total after 6.48 miles against West Brom. Nolan’s had a sensational start to the season.
– James Collins has urged his team mates not to use injuries as an excuse, and the defender is certainly leading from the front (or back) as he has done more defensively that any West Ham player this season with 134 defensive contributions in total. That includes the joint second highest number of blocks in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 20 and an impressive tackles won percentage of 76.9%.
– Matt Jarvis joined West Ham in the summer for a club record transfer fee. Brought in for his crossing ability surely with a view to linking up with Andy Carroll, Jarvis has delivered 32 crosses at a rate of one every 34 minutes 30 seconds. His opponent today, Leighton Baines, has delivered more crosses than any other player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 68 at a rate of one every 24 minutes 8 seconds.
– Everton also settled for a draw last weekend, ending 1-1 with Stoke in a game that will be unfortunately remembered for Fellaini’s head butt on Ryan Shawcross which earned him a retrospective ban.
– Sylvain Distin has spoken out since warning Fellaini about reacting to opponent’s and giving away fouls, and they would seem to be wise words as the Belgian midfielder has committed more fouls than any other player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 40. Distin has conceded just 7 fouls this season, averaging 161 minutes between fouls, compared to Fellaini who averages 35 minutes 47 seconds between fouls, so the Belgian would do well to listen!
– Shawcross had previously headed a Steven Pienaar cross into his own net to give Everton the lead. Pienaar’s cross was one of 20 he has delivered this season and his fifth credited assist of the season
– Seamus Coleman won 8 tackles against Stoke, the joint highest of last weekend and the joint 4th highest of the season so far.
– Kevin Mirallas will surely hope the goals start flowing soon. He has the best on target shooting ratio of the players to have had at least 30 shots this season (74.2%), but has just one Premier League goal to his name. With 23 shots on target and just 1 goal that means Mirallas alone has stung the palms of opposition keepers 22 times.