STATS: West Ham’s Reid is the fastest in the league and Sunderland’s O’Shea’s interceptions
West Ham v Sunderland 15:00
– West Ham fought to a 0-0 draw against Norwich despite managing to create a number of chances on John Ruddy’s goal. Although Carlton Cole, Kevin Nolan and others managed to carve out opportunities, the Hammers are still searching for their first points away from home this season.
– Midfielder Mark Noble continues to compile an impressive series of hard-working performances for West Ham this season. He once again ran harder than any other player involved in the match against Norwich with 6.93 miles, the fifth highest of a single player in a single match so far this season.
– So far this season Mark Noble has covered the second highest total distance in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 26.95 miles in the first four games
– West Ham are also second overall for distance covered as a squad with 244.76 miles, second only to fellow newly promoted side Southampton
– Noble’s teammates have evidently also been recognising his value to this Hammers squad. He’s received the ball of the 172 times so far this season, the largest amount of any West Ham player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Winston Reid recorded the fastest speed of any Premier League player so far this season when the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index clocked him running at 23.38mph.
– Ricardo Vaz Te also recorded 23.14 miles per hour in the game, the third highest speed recorded so far this season
– Defensive midfielder Mohamed Diame will be hoping to put in a more disciplined display against Sunderland than the one he turned in against Norwich. He committed 5 fouls, more than any other player from either side.
– Sunderland were largely successful in the efforts to frustrate Liverpool as they earned a deserved 1-1 draw. Another goal from Steven Fletcher continued his good form since arriving at the Stadium of Light and overall Martin O’Neill will have been pleased with his side’s shape and discipline.
– Steven Fletcher is enjoying a remarkable start to his career at the Stadium of Light. He’s had 3 shots on target since joining the Black Cats, all 3 of which have been goals.
– Fletcher could well do with some more support from his teammates in attack though. Only Jack Colback can equal his 3 shots on target for the team this season.
– Combative midfielder Lee Cattermole was covered the greatest amount of ground for Sunderland against Liverpool at the weekend, running for 5.97 miles.
– Defender Jack Colback continues to build on his impressive opening performances for Martin O’Neill’s side his season after the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index registered him as being his side’s fastest player against Liverpool, recording him at 20.98mph.
– John O’Shea has shown this season what a solid buy he had the potential to be when he arrived from Man Utd. He’s conceded only one foul and made 15 interceptions this campaign.