Title-chasing Liverpool had a thumping 5-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday and as a result they dominate the Actim Team of the Week, with four players making the XI. Skipper Steven Gerrard racked up 45 points thanks to his hat-trick and he now moves into the top 10 of the overall standings, claiming eighth place. Goalkeeper Jose Reina provided the assist for Albert Riera`s second goal and both men join Gerrard in the week`s best XI, along with defender Martin Skrtel.
Ryan Shawcross was the highest scoring player of the week after his match-winning exploits for Stoke. The defender helped keep a clean sheet and netted the only goal of the game in the Potters` vital 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday. That performance saw him amass 52 points, by far his best points return of the season – and the impressive haul saw Shawcross climb 35 places in the overall standings into 56th place and sees him breathing down the neck of Thomas Sorensen, who is Stoke`s highest-placed player, five places above him in 51st.
Peter Crouch`s two goals earned Portsmouth a 2-1 victory over Everton on Saturday and also gave him his highest points haul of the season. The England striker posted 49 points, the second highest amount of the week behind Shawcross, and duly takes his place in the Team of the Week climbing up to overall 26th place in the process.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is a sitting duck at the top of the overall standings after picking up an injury in Chelsea`s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham. The Frenchman retained his place at the summit, despite a poor haul of just 13 points, but is almost certain to be overhauled by Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard during his three-week absence. Lampard also had a poor week, registering a score of -2 and is 20 points behind Anelka, while third-placed Gabriel Agbonlahor sits a further 41 points adrift after a disappointing tally of just two points in Villa`s thrashing at Anfield.
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega was the biggest mover of the week following his performance in the 1-0 win over Hull. His 19 points was his highest score since joining the Latics in January and moves him up 136 places in the Index to 454th. However, it was a week to forget for Middlesbrough as their 1-0 defeat at Stoke contributed to Mohamed Shawky slipping 36 places to 417th after an Index score of -12, and Tuncay Sanli registering the lowest score of the week with a damaging -22.
