Premier League Dream Team of the Weekend

It's been another exhilarating weekend of Premier League football with the gap narrowed at the top and more teams dragged into the relegation battle.

As per usual, there were many standout performances scattered across the division, and I had the unenviable task of watching a plethora of games to pick out the Premier League's main men.

With just two clean sheets in nine games, there was some deliberation over who warranted a spot in my defence. With 26 different scorers, the competition was just as fierce for the forward places.

Fans of Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and Steven Fletcher may not entirely agree on my selections, but this list isn't meant to be definitive.

So feel free to throw in your views.

Julio Cesar: Goalkeeper, Queens Park Rangers

The Brazilian keeper has been in fine form of late, giving Harry Redknapp's side a cornerstone to base their defence upon.

A trip to West Ham is a testing venue for any stopper, and Julio Cesar stepped up to the challenge by dominating aerially as the Hammers launched a barrage of balls into the box.

The former Inter Milan ace was a commanding presence throughout and was unlucky to see Joe Cole tap in an equaliser after getting down sharply to save Carlton Cole's header.

If Cesar can earn his team a handful of points between now and the end of the season, they may be enough to keep QPR afloat.

Cesar Azpilicueta: Right-Back, Chelsea

Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpilicueta has been quietly impressing for the Blues since his summer switch from Marseille, and the Spaniard put in another solid show against Arsenal on Sunday.

Azpilicueta's measured through ball put Juan Mata in the clear for Chelsea's opener, and the 23-year-old was a persistent presence down the flank as the hosts dominated the opening 45 minutes.

After the interval, Azpilicueta remained firm in the face of the Gunners' onslaught and gave little change to whomever came at him from Arsenal's left.

He is rarely spectacular, but he gives Rafa Benitez one less problem to worry about.

Matija Nastasic: Centre-Back, Manchester City

It was a routine home victory for Manchester City against a Fulham side that often struggle on the road, but Matija Nastasic put in another rounded performance in what is becoming an impressive debut season.

Nastasic and his captain Vincent Kompany expertly marshaled the isolated Dimitar Berbatov to stifle the Cottagers' limited threat. The young Serbian barely put a foot wrong in a commanding display.

The Premier League can be unforgiving on inexperienced newcomers—just ask Stefan Savic—but former Fiorentina defender Nastasic looks mature beyond his 19 years and will only get better.

Daniel Agger: Centre-Back, Liverpool

Liverpool dominated Norwich City from start to finish, and one of the many reasons for that was Daniel Agger's bossing of Grant Holt.

The Canaries striker offered his side a platform to play, but with Agger snuffing moves out before they began, the hosts were always on the front foot. That dynamic never changed.

With the Reds in control, Agger gave Brendan Rodgers' side another dimension to their game by continually striding out from the back to instigate moves with an exceptional range of passing.

He will have tougher days at the office, but he was exemplary in ending and starting attacks. 

Ben Davies: Left-Back, Swansea City

Ben Davies has been yet another success story for Swansea City as their Premier League dream continues apace well into the second season.

The 19-year-old defender was catapulted into the first team following an unfortunate injury to Neil Taylor. He has since justified Michael Laudrup's faith with a string of fine displays.

Davies registered his first senior goal on Saturday in a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Stoke City and was otherwise a bundle of energy zipping up and down the line from his left-back station.

The Swansea youth product has already earned a full international cap for Wales, and Swansea will surely be fielding interest for his services if he keeps up this form.

Jonathan De Guzman: Midfield, Swansea City

Jonathan De Guzman took over Michu's mantle as chief goalscorer for Swansea City by bagging a brace in a 3-1 home win over Stoke.

The Dutchman curled a sublime free kick up and over the wall from 20 yards for his first and swapped passes with Danny Graham to slot home his second and Swansea's third just before the end.

Those strikes capped off a classy performance in which De Guzman was integral to many of the Swans' slick passing moves.

The on-loan Villarreal midfielder has proved to be another astute signing from Michael Laudrup, who will hope to seal a place in the Capital One Cup Final by seeing off Chelsea on Wednesday.

Jordan Henderson: Midfield, Liverpool

After taking an age to settle at Anfield, Jordan Henderson is finally producing evidence to back up why Liverpool parted with £16 million for his services.

The former Sunderland midfielder was at the heart of plenty of promising moves for the Reds on Saturday as they tore Norwich apart.

Henderson got the ball rolling with a fine 20-yard strike. He also had a hand in the home side's third goal when his cute chip found Stewart Downing to cross for Daniel Sturridge.

He played with his usual energy and enterprise, but he is beginning to lace that with moments of quality as he forges a niche for himself in the side.

David Silva: Midfield, Manchester City

Manchester City's midfield ace scored two goals and orchestrated plenty as the champions kept up the pace on crosstown rivals and Premier League leaders, Manchester United.

Silva settled his side into an early groove by prodding home the opener after just 90 seconds when Mark Schwarzer parried an Edin Dzeko shot.

From there on, it was largely one-way traffic with Silva being central to most of the Citizens' play. The Spaniard capped off a fine afternoon when he started and finished a flowing move with 20 minutes in the game.

Roberto Mancini will need his playmaker to rediscover his form of last season if the Sky Blues are to defend their title. On the evidence of this match, Silva looks to be holding up his end of the bargain.

Daniel Sturridge: Striker, Liverpool

A third goal in three games was the headline for Daniel Sturridge, but Liverpool's newest recruit showed plenty more and offered further glimpses of what already looks to be a fruitful partnership with Luis Suarez.

The England international was a hive of activity all afternoon, moving freely along the front and interchanging regularly with his Uruguayan strike partner.

Sturridge's clever dummy from Lucas Leiva's pass allowed Suarez to stroll through to put the Reds up 2-0. The former Chelsea man got himself in on the act by slotting home Stewart Downing's centre on the hour.

I thought Chelsea made a mistake by letting him go, and the former Manchester City trainee has already scored three more goals than Fernando Torres during January.

Charles N'Zogbia: Winger, Aston Villa

There's no doubt that a fit and focused Charles N'Zogbia can be an asset for any side.

The French winger was a persistent threat during the first half against West Brom on Saturday and set up two goals as Aston Villa headed into the break up 2-0.

N'Zogbia has only recently returned from a long-term injury but already appears to give Villa some dynamism from the flanks with his speed of thought and movement.

A front three of N'Zogbia and Gabriel Agbonlahor dovetailing off Christian Benteke must surely have enough goals amongst them to keep Villa out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Adam Le Fondre: Striker, Reading

Reading's super-sub was at it again, coming on to score two goals within 10 minutes to claim another vital three points for his team.

Adam Le Fondre pounced within 60 seconds of his arrival to pull Reading level and lashed home a loose ball in the area after 77 minutes to edge the Royals ahead.

The 26-year-old striker has shown an uncanny knack of coming off the bench to score important goals. A few more like the ones on Saturday will go a long way to keeping Reading in the league.

Despite limited starts, Le Fondre has had a productive season in the Premier league. His eight goals put him on par with Sergio Aguero and Theo Walcott and in front of Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres.