STATS: QPR’s Nedum’s impressive tackling vs Piernaar’s opposition half passing for Everton
QPR v Everton, Sunday 16:00
– QPR lost 3-2 to high flying West Brom in their last game, despite goals from Esteban Grenaro and Adel Taarabt
– Taraabt has made just three appearances for QPR this season, but it’s looking like the talented midfielder may be a key part of their push for survival. Taraabt has had 13 attempts at goal with 77% on target resulting in two goals in his three appearances this season
– Granero’s goal was his first Premier League goal for QPR. The Spanish midfielder has an admirable pass rate considering the struggling team, completing 151 passes in three games, averaging one every 3 mins 10 secs
– A difficult start to the season sees QPR bottom of the table and without a single player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index’s top 100 players. Their closest is Bobby Zamora, who is ranked 101st after scoring three goals in six games and from nine shots at goal
– New QPR defender Nedum Onouha has impressed in the tackle this season, winning 92% of his tackles, the second best success rate of players attempting ten or more tackles this season
– Another new signing Ji Sung Park remains at the heart of QPR’s play so far this season, having received the ball more than any other QPR player with 336 ball receptions
– Everton hit a snag in their excellent start to the season with a 2-2 draw against Wigan
– Leighton Baines scored the second goals from the penalty spot, and sits high in 3rd place in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index overall. That makes Baines the highest ranked English player in the index, while the second highest English player is his rival for the three lions left back slot Ashley Cole
– The full back has two goals and two assists to his name, and has also delivered more crosses than any other player this season with 38
– Baines has also covered more distance at a sprint (1616 metres) than any other player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, ahead even of Spurs’ flying winger Gareth Bale
– Steven Pienaar is also in the top five overall for the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index having contributed an impressive four assists in seven games, and contributed 259 passes in his opponent’s half, the fourth highest in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index and ahead of the likes of Steven Gerrard (234), Juan Mata (245) and David Silva (230)
– Midfielder Marouane Fellaini continues to produce mixed results this season in front of goal. While he has caught the eye with some fine strikes, he’s also been off target 10 times from 23 attempts this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– The imposing Belgian also continues to throw his weight around in the tackle this season, repeatedly bringing him to the attention of the officials. He sits atop the EA SPORT Player Performance Index for fouls with 20.
– Everton defender Seamus Coleman has had an attacking minded start to the season, completing 6 dribbles, more than any other defender