English Premier League: Opening Weekend Best Starting XI

The following is the best starting eleven from the opening weekend of Premier League action. I have gone with a simple 4-4-2 to keep things plain and simple.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart - Manchester City

Joe Hart proved his managers Roberto Mancini right in leaving Shay Given on the bench to make room for Hart to fill in between the sticks. Hart made an array of top quality saves. He single handily earned Manchester City a point in their opening game.

Hart made a great save on a deflected shot from Tottenham's Benoit Assou-Ekotto that was destined for the top corner. Hart also made a fantastic doubled stop on Jermain Defoe. There is no second-guessing who should starting in goal for England anymore.

Right Back: Alex Baptiste - Blackpool

One of the shocks of the season occurred on the opening day. To hear that there was four goals in the game between Wigan and Blackpool would not be a shock, but to hear that Wigan lost four nil was a major surprise.

Baptiste not only put in a great performance at the back as well as supporting in attack, but he rounded his great day off with a goal that will haunt Chris Kirkland for the rest of his life.

Centre Back: Jamie Carragher - Liverpool

Jamie Carragher was the anchor to Liverpool's tough defensive display against Arsenal. He did everything possible to keep Arsenal at bay and he ran the back-line with his usual grace and easy-going nature.

He also showed great intelligence by telling Daniel Agger to get to his feet and not receive treatment before an Arsenal corner to prevent Liverpool falling down to nine on-field men.

Centre Back: Micheal Dawson - Tottenham

Fabio Capello was once again shown wrong in his player selection for the World Cup in the opening game of the Premier League campaign.

Manchester City were unable to get anything moving forward thanks to the great work at the back from Michael Dawson.

Left Back: Ashley Cole - Chelsea

It is a little bit of an understatement to say that Cole had very little to do in defense looking that the scoreline to the Chelsea and West Brom game.

However, anything that did happen to come his way he snuffed out and ensured that his other defensive teammates where not left stranded. He was a key part of Chelsea's attacking dominance and was a torn in the side of West Brom's right back Jara.

Right Midfield: Marc Albrighton - Aston Villa

Aston Villa may be losing James Milner but hopes may be a little higher after seeing Marc Albrighton play against West Ham.

Albrighton put in a great shift for Aston Villa and helped them beat West Ham three nil. An early first half shot ended up in the path of Stewart Downing who tapped home to put Aston Villa in the lead. He also showed great pace and skill in setting up James Milner for what may very well be his last goal for Aston Villa.

Centre Midfield: Paul Scholes - Manchester United

In the battle of the United's there was only one team who won, and it was thanks to just one player. Paul Scholes was the best player on the field despite being one of the oldest on the pitch.

He showed exactly why Alex Ferguson wanted to keep him around for another season. His passing range and accuracy was pure class and a pleasure to watch.

Centre Midfield: Steven Gerrard - Liverpool

Liverpool may feel let down by the fact they failed to keep all three points against Arsenal but they will certainly be pleased to see Steven Gerrard back to his best.

Gerrard was played in a deeper role in Roy Hodgson's new look Liverpool system and it paid dividends for the Reds. Gerrard was all over the pitch and showed his great passing ability as well as his desire and passion to put in a tackle.

Left Midfield: Gareth Bale - Tottenham

Tottenham will feel hard done by for not finishing their opening game with a win, reason being was the quality and number of efforts the Gareth Bale created down the left for Spurs.

Not only did Bale tear Manchester City's Micah Richards inside out but he also hit struck the inside of the post as well as having a very strong penalty claim turned down. Was without doubt the biggest threat in the Spurs set-up.

Forward: Didier Drogba - Chelsea

It is hard to leave out anyone who scores a hat-trick let alone a hat-trick on the opening day of the season. Neither Drogba nor Chelsea really left second gear but they were still lethal. Drogba was a constant threat and none of his strikes were highlight material, but they all count at the end of the day and he showed why he is up there for consideration as one of the best strikers in football.

Forward: Marlon Harewood - Blackpool

This may be the only time that Blackpool will ever get two players in the best team of the week. You could argue that Blackpool played that good, or that Wigan were just that bad but at the end of the day you must give credit were credit is due.

Harewood has struggled during his previous Premier League outings but he proved that at least for one game he was good enough to be there. With a double as well as an assist Harewood has turned himself into a Blackpool idol.