English Premier League Team of the Week

Week 8 in the English Premier League is done and dusted, so Bleacher Report brings you the Team of the Week.

It was a good weekend for the punters as many of the top teams marched onward with victories, but despite that, this team is as diverse as they come.

Newcastle and Everton's stout defensive displays mean they're represented, while the Manchester clubs continued to find ways to win despite early setbacks.

GK: Tim Howard

A breathtaking spectacle at Loftus Road finished 1-1, thanks largely to Tim Howard.

His performance between the sticks for Everton was nothing short of superb, pulling off five saves in total and maintaining aerial dominance throughout.

His dive to deflect Junior Hoilett's effort midway through the second half was incredible, keeping his team in the game for an important point.

LB: John Arne Riise

John Arne Riise completely owned the left side of the pitch during Fulham's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

He continually rampaged up and down the touchline, giving Matthew Lowton and sub Eric Lichaj a very tough time.

He fizzed six accurate crosses in, and it was his inswinging corner that saw Chris Baird grab the only goal of the game. 

CB: Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill had a great day on Saturday for several reasons.

First of all, his team won an all-important London derby to stay atop the league. Second, he's come in for the suspended John Terry and shown Chelsea fans that their skipper's absence isn't such a huge worry.

But to cap it all off, the former Aston Villa centre-back scored what is probably one of the best goals you'll see this season.

Here's your fix.

CB: Fabricio Coloccini

After Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Alan Pardew claimed Fabricio Coloccini's performance was "like watching Bobby Moore" (via BBC Sport).

While that might be going a tad far, it's undeniable that the Argentinian centre-back had a fine game on his return from injury.

Cheik Tiote's red card put the Magpies in a hole early on, but the former Deportivo man held the Black Cats at bay for his entire shift on the pitch.

RB: Davide Santon

Davide Santon plays at left-back for Newcastle right now, but he's slotting into our English Premier League Team of the Week at right-back due to a severe dearth of quality performances (and his ability to play on the right).

The Italian youngster was solid whilst flanking Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson, recording an astonishing eight tackles along with one interception.

This was a tough game defensively for the Magpies, and Santon was instrumental in grabbing a point.

CM: Alexander Tettey

Relative unknown Alexander Tettey arrived at Carrow Road late this summer from Rennes.

His game against Arsenal was his best yet in a Norwich shirt, and the only goal of the game came as Grant Holt pounced on Vito Mannone's fumbling of Tettey's long-range effort.

His overall shift was industrious and controlled, and major props must go to the Canaries for taking down the Gunners on Saturday evening.

CM: Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle's third entry this week is combative midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

His goal in the third minute of the Tyne-Wear derby went a long way toward calming any early nerves the Magpies might have been housing, and after Cheik Tiote's red card, the Frenchman ran around like a nutter to preserve his side's status in the game.

The Sunderland equaliser was inevitable in the end, but Cabaye put in a titanic effort.

RW: Juan Mata

Chelsea led Tottenham 1-0 at halftime and looked pretty secure. Whatever Roberto Di Matteo said during the break obviously didn't work, because they were 2-1 down within 10 minutes.

Step forward, Juan Manuel Mata. His two goals brought Chelsea back to within touching distance of the victory, and he then robbed Kyle Walker at the death to square for Daniel Sturridge.

Superb performance from the in-form Spaniard.

LW: Raheem Sterling

Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling continues his rise to prominence after a performance Reds fans will be crowing over.

The 17-year-old winger latched onto a Luis Suarez flick to score the only goal of the game against Reading, securing Brendan Rodgers' first home win of the season.

The goal wasn't his only highlight, as he had several other chances to increase Liverpool's lead.

ST: Wayne Rooney

It doesn't matter where you play him, he's still going to be a standout performer almost every week.

Although Wayne Rooney only managed a "false" hat trick, his two goals in the right net saw Manchester United overcome a sticky start to beat Stoke City.

He also provided a wonderful assist for Danny Welbeck's goal, simply providing the cross he knew he would have thrived on in the box.

ST: Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko saved Manchester City's bacon. Again.

The Citizens went down to 10 men in the first half, and after Shane Long gave West Bromwich Albion the lead, everything looked rather bleak for Roberto Mancini's men.

Cue Bosnia and Herzegovina's very own Superman. The target man is much maligned but proves time and time again he has his uses, epitomising the "clutch" gene every other week.

His two goals were of the highest quality, and City can thank him for the three points.

Manager: Chris Hughton

It's been a rough ride for Chris Hughton so far at Norwich, but the Canaries finally picked up their first win of the season at home to Arsenal.

As unlikely as the circumstances for this triumph were, it wasn't down to a lucky break. Norwich performed out of their skins at Carrow Road on Saturday, nullifying Arsenal's effectiveness and having more than just the one good chance themselves.

Bringing Michael Turner back turned out to be a good decision despite his poor start to life in yellow and green, and Grant Holt bagged himself another important goal.

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