Two goals from Steven Fletcher and a penalty from Craig Gardner helped Sunderland battle to a 3-2 win over Wigan in their last league game.
Gardner’s goal was just his third of the season, despite having had 39 shots at goal this season with 61.4% on target. Gardner has been more effective at the other end of the pitch, however, making 26 clearances, more than any other midfielder in the league.
Sunderland have built a reputation as a tough tackling team this season, led by midfielder James McClean who has won 65 tackles so far this season, more than any other player.
Carlos Cuellar has also excelled in the tackle this season, winning 86.7% of his 53 attempted tackles this season, a percentage bettered only by Reading’s Shaun Cumming’s and Everton’s Phil Jagielka
John O’Shea, meanwhile, has been one of the league’s most influential defenders. O’Shea is ranked fourth overall for defensive contributions with 231 across tackles won, interceptions, clearances and blocks, averaging one every 7 minutes 38 seconds.
Swansea were also winners in their last league game, beating Stoke 3-1 thanks to two goals by Jonathan de Guzman and Ben Davies’ first goal for Swansea
De Guzman’s goals take his tally for the season to five in the Premier League, coming from 31 shots with 54.8% on target. He also has 5 assists to his name, with 472 passes completed in the opposition half or one every 3 minutes 28 seconds.
Sung Yeung Ki will be hoping to break his duck in front of goal soon. The South Korean midfielder has had 26 efforts at goal including 13 on target without scoring, the second highest in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Angel Rangel shares a similarly frustrating statistic, having delivered more crosses (32) without being credited an assist than any other player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index
Away from the goal scoring heroics of his team mates, Ashley Williams has excelled in defence this season. He has made 160 interceptions, more than any other player, and is second only to Phil Jagielka for overall defensive contributions, having made 243 contributions across tackles won, interceptions, clearances and blocks