EPL Game Day 3: Team Of The Week: Friedel, Berbatov, Walcott, Essien...
Week three of the EPL season produced a remarkable amount of stories. Brad Friedel's one man stand against Everton's onslaught was a joy to behold, as was Dimitar Berbatov's superb contribution as Manchester United cantered to an easy win over West Ham.
Theo Walcott literally put a hole in net with a brilliant far post finish as Arsenal sneaked past Blackburn at Ewood Park for a memorable 2-1 win while Chelsea continued their awesome start to the season with a morale sapping win against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.
All in all, another memorable week.
Here, we look at the movers and shakers in the EPL Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Brad Friedel: Aston Villa
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Brad Friedel was in a class of his own this past weekend. He was influential to say the least in his team picking up a 1-0 victory against Everton.
The American shotstopper did exactly that, stopping an array of shots to not only keep his team in the lead but also to keep a clean sheet.
Right at the death, Louis Saha had a chance to gain a point for his side but the American goalkeeper got down very well to his right-hand post to tip the forward's effort around the post.
Friedel's two hands deserve two thumbs up for his performance, which brought some respect back to the Midlands team after they lost to Newcastle 6-0 last weekend, and crashed out of the Europa League to Rapid Vienna.
Right Back: Bacary Sagna - Arsenal
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Arsenal may have had a slight scare in the first-half but the second half was a wash and Arsenal ended running the game out quite easily, although the scoreline may not have suggested that.
Bacary Sagna was once again on hand to put in a solid performance at right back for the Gunners. He allowed little to no threat elude him down the left. He was very tidy in possession and made Blackburn's right-sided attack obsolete.
The Frenchman worked the right side nicely in attack, and delivared a peach of a cross to set up Arsenal's second and the game winning goal.
As usual, Sagna done nothing special, he just done his job professionally and pristinely.
Centre Back: Chris Samba - Blackburn Rovers
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It is not often that a team concedes two goals, loses the game and their centre half is congratulated on his stellar performance.
Chris Samba was phenomenal against Arsenal. He done what everyone expected of him, he used his huge frame to force Arsenal players off the ball and win back possession for his side.
He made a number of key last-ditch challenges that prevents good goal-scoring oppurtinties for Arsenal attackers, including a great double slide tackle inside the area in the first half.
Samba was not only a rock at the back for Rovers but it was his drive out of defense and his great vision and through ball which lead to Blackburn's equaliser.
He also caused a few panicking moments for Arsenal when he was pushed up front for the final ten minutes.
Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United
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Manchester United swept by West Ham at Old Trafford on the weekend and goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar had very little to do thanks to the Serbian wall that was placed in front of him.
Carlton Cole was recently called up to the England squad but if you watched him play against Vidic on the weekend you may question why that call was made. Vidic domintated the Englishman and gave him no space to play in.
Nemanja Vidic seemed to be reliving his past glories against West Ham as he was in fine form and a rock at the back for the Red Devils. Fergie will be looking for some more of that from the Serbian.
Left Back: Stephen Warnock - Aston Villa
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Stephen Warnock put his body on the line on numerous occasions to salvage a victory for his team. Along with his three other teammates in the back-line Warnock dealt with every threat that came at the all game long.
Despite being grilled last week against Aston Villa Warnock showed great heart and strength to play in the manner in which he did against Everton.
His display against Everton may have been driving from the fact he was an ex-Liverpool player? Who knows, but it paid dividends for Villa.
Right Midfield: Theo Walcott - Arsenal
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If Theo Walcott contines to play to this level in the coming games for Arsenal, other team's managers will start against for the Englishman to be drug-tested.
Walcott was coming off the back of a hat-trick scoring performance against Blackpool and he contined that against Blackburn.
His pace was a constant threat and Givet was just unable to hand the crafty winger. Yet again he showed great composure and fine finishing to put Arsenal in the lead.
Walcott may just be set for take-off in his coming out season.
Centre Midfeild: Michael Essien - Chelsea
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Michael Essien missed so much time last season for Chelsea that his return to action this season was labeled equal to a new signing for the London side, and he showed Chelsea just what he can offer against Stoke.
Essien controlled the middle of the pitch and dominated play. His energy, work rate, passing and drive where just some of the key elements to his game.
The Ghanaian showed signs that he is coming back to his fully potential which can only be a major positive for Chelsea.
Centre Midfield: Yaya Toure - Manchester City
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Yaya Toure is far from justifying his outstanding wage demands, but his effort and work-rate was second to none in a losing effort against Sunderland.
Despite being a holding midfielder Toure found himself inside the Sunderland box or more occoasion than one may have assumed.
Toure showed great awareness and composure as he beared in on goal early in the second half. He forced the Sunderland keeper and last defender to close him down while he feed Tevez a simple ball which should have been easily tapped home into an open net, but was sent over.
Toure was playing as an attacking midfielder for the majority of the game and was at the heart of everything City did going forward.
Left Midfield: Ashley Young - Aston Villa
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If Aston Villa had any intention of listening to offers made for Ashley Young, they should be all lost after his performance against Everton.
Young caused havoc going both ways on the left wing against the Merseyside team. Young was a constant danger and outlet for Villa. His pace was a major threat and he offered Villa's defense well-needed moments of rest holding the ball up.
He also did the dirty work required from wingers. He worked back towards his own goal and worked endlessly for the Villa cause.
He also paired up nicely with Luke Young to set-up the only goal of the game.
Forward: Andy Carroll - Newcastle
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Newcastle's No.9 would have had to achieve some feet to outdo the performance he had the week before against Aston Villa, and although he did not better his perforamce he certainly showed that it was not a once off.
Carroll worked hard from start to finish - finish coming a little early as he was substituted. He made life very hard for the Wolves defense and he used his body and shape very well to hold up play and bring in his midfield teammates.
He got his name on the scoresheet yet again to salvage a point for his club and his movement to get free during the set-piece was just beautiful.
Forward: Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester United
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Many claim that Berbatov has failed to repay Manchester United for the £30 million price tag they have to meet to take him from Spurs, but the true beauty of Barbatov's game is the subtlety of his effect on games.
Berbatov was a torn in the side for West Ham. His touch and control was second to none, and his ability to bring others into the game was sublime.
The Bulgarian showed some more spirit, compared to the "lazy attitude" that many people complain about, by attacking 50-50 challenges and in his overall work-rate.
He also capped of a great game with a fantastic volley.
