EPL Hot 11: Dyer, Graham Share Top Honors and Donovan, Scholes Appear in MD 21

Nathan Dyer and Danny Graham got top honors in this week's edition of the Premier League Hot 11, as the duo dazzled in a 3-2 win over Arsenal.

Robin van Persie got his 18th goal of the season for his 12th appearance in the rankings.

First-timers include Everton's Landon Donovan, Manchester United's Paul Scholes and Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen, who may have recorded the goal of the weekend.

Every week, 11 footballers in the Premier League will make up the EPL Hot 11, a fluctuating power ranking that highlights the top performers over the course of the entire season. Dependent on their match-day performances, players may move up or down the list each week.

Nathan Dyer

Swansea City's Nathan Dyer had a full impact in the Swans' monumental 3-2 win over Arsenal Sunday, as the 24-year-old created a flurry of chances at the Liberty Stadium.

After falling down 1-0 to a Robin van Persie goal, Dyer drew a controversial penalty which Scott Sinclair converted to equalize. In the second half, Dyer scored a critical goal that put the Swans up 2-1 heading into the final 30 minutes.

The former Southampton playmaker was a crucial component in Swansea's statement win, as Dyer picked up his second goal in as many league games.

Danny Graham

In an awesome finish between Swansea City and Arsenal, Danny Graham got the final laugh.

After Arsenal's Theo Walcott equalized at two goals apiece in the 69th minute, it took just moments for Graham to reestablish Swansea's one-goal lead with a brilliant finish across the face of Wojciech Szczesny's goal, undoubtedly proving true the adage "you're at your most vulnerable when you've just scored."

Graham's seventh goal of the season shot the Swans up to 10th in the table.

Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie has cooled slightly, but he still should challenge for the Golden Boot by season's end.

In a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Swansea City, van Persie recorded his 18th goal of the season within the first five minutes.

Seemingly a fixture forever in the Premier Hot 11, van Persie has scored twice in his last three, five in his last eight and 15 in his last 14 league games for the Gunners.

Steven Fletcher

Wolverhampton's leading scorer struck again in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Saturday, as Steven Fletcher put up his ninth goal of the season.

It took 22 minutes for Fletcher to follow up a Roger Johnson header that was parried away by the keeper.

Wolves are still clinging to the bottom of the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone. With the help of Fletcher's second goal in three games, Mick McCarthy's side will scrounge for every possible point.

Steve Morison

Steve Morison has notched two goals in as many games for Norwich City—both of which came as game-winners for the Canaries.

That touch of luck, good timing, good fortune and good finishing has helped Norwich to keep a mid-table position in England's top flight.

The 28-year-old Morison leads the club in goals and assists with eight and four, respectively.

Frank Lampard

In a surprise of sorts, Frank Lampard shares the lead in goals for Chelsea with nine.

With two goals in two games, including one in a 1-0 win over Sunderland, the heavy-footed midfielder has shockingly moved even with Daniel Sturridge with nine goals apiece for the Blues, despite having spent a great deal of time on the bench for Andres Villas-Boas.

Were it not for an exquisitely balanced volley from Fernando Torres—an effort that clamored back off the crossbar—Lampard would not have had his goal, especially since he looked to have known little about it.

Morten Gamst Pedersen

With perhaps the goal of the week, Morten Gamst Pedersen curled in a great free kick from about 25 meters out in the final seconds of the first half that opened the scoring in a decisive 3-1 Blackburn win over Fulham.

It was just the second of the season for the 30-year-old Norwegian, but he has had a goal and an assist in his last three league appearances.

Paul Scholes

In Paul Scholes' second game back from a shocking return from retirement, the longtime United playmaker stole headlines in a 3-0 win over lowly Bolton.

Scholes opened the scoring just before halftime with his first goal at Old Trafford in two years.

For a United midfield that has been far from its standard in recent seasons, Scholes will provide that veteran presence.

Stephen Ireland

Could Stephen Ireland really be on the up and up?

The former Manchester City man picked up an assist to Darren Bent in a draw with Everton, as the Irishman seemed to be at the right place at the right time.

Ireland collected himself on the right of the six-yard box before casually finding Bent right in front of the goal for a 56th-minute opener.

That makes a goal and two assists in his last three games—all starts—for the 25-year-old.

Edin Dzeko

After an 11-game scoring drought and a 10-match-day absence from the EPL Hot 11, Edin Dzeko makes his return after scoring a fabulous header in Manchester City's 1-0 win over Wigan Monday night.

The Bosnian had not scored since Nov. 5 against QPR, but after connecting with David Silva from a set piece in the 22nd minute, Dzeko is back on the scoresheet for City as he climbs to 11 scores this season.

Landon Donovan

In his second loan spell with the Toffees, Landon Donovan picked up his first assist since returning to Goodison Park.

Aston Villa had gone ahead 1-0 after a Darren Bent tap-in, but Donovan's slaloming run before picking out Victor Anichibe had Everton level just 13 minutes after.

The American recorded two goals and three assists during his first loan spell with the club in 2010. He looks to be well on his way to another successful stint with Everton in 2012.