English Premier League: Top Five Players Of The Week
The weekend saw Chelsea continue to exert their early season dominance as they put four past a hapless Blackpool side, while United dominated Liverpool but only managed to snatch a win late on. Arsenal scored a "once in a blue moon" goal courtesy of Cesc Fabregas, but will have felt robbed after conceding in the dying seconds.
So, as another exciting week of Premier League action draws to a close, here's a look back at the best five players from this round of fixtures.
Steven Gerrard
1 of 5
Liverpool's captain once again showed why he is so important to his side. In just six minutes, he turned the match against United on its head, taking them from two goals behind with little chance of securing even a point, to a position where the game was very much in the balance.
Torres won both Gerrard's penalty and his free-kick, but Gerrard was the one who showed his skills under pressure in front of a boisterous Old Trafford crowd on both occasions.
Gerrard leads by example, he is playing in a team that hasn't got off to a flyer and his charisma and talent will be essential if Liverpool are going to turn their fortunes around.
In the end, Gerrard's goals may not have earned Liverpool any points, but they showed that even on a day when they were dominated for much of the match, they still have the potential to give any team in the league a close game.
Hatem Ben Arfa
2 of 5
Newcastle's loan-signing from Marseille got his Premier League career off to the perfect start after putting in an impressive display against Everton. The left-winger showed incredible close control as he went on some impressive runs and showed some good skills.
On one of the occasions that he chose not to run, he cut in from the left wing and unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards that curled away from Tim Howard and found the back of the net. The goal would prove to be enough to secure Newcastle three well deserved points.
Ben Arfa can join Newcastle permanently if the Toon are prepared to pay £8 million for the French winger at the end of the season. From his display this weekend, Chris Hughton will have a fairly easy decision to make if the funds are made available to him.
Ashley Cole
3 of 5
Chelsea's left-back may be having problems off the pitch, but on it he is showing exactly why he is one of the best fullbacks in the world.
Cole was dominant again on the left side of the field, displaying precisely why Real Madrid were after him during the summer as he set up Drogba's goal, created several other opportunities and had a few chances of his own. He was rarely troubled by a Blackpool side that didn't turn up until after half-time. He was given plenty of room on the wing, but that shouldn't take away from his great performance. He remained solid at the back and that he was able to combine this with an impressive amount of forward movements proves just how good he was.
Chelsea are comfortably top of the league after five easy wins that have seen them net 21 times this Premier League season and concede just once. Cole and Chelsea will hope to keep the same form going as they encounter some tougher opposition later in the season.
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Carlos Tevez
4 of 5
Manchester City's star striker and captain Carlos Tevez was on top form this weekend. He scored a well taken goal, collecting a punt from Joe Hart and superbly clipped the ball over the advancing Wigan Athletic 'keeper to give the Citizens a deserved lead.
Tevez also had a hand in City's second goal, providing the cross that led to Yaya Toure's finish. Tevez was at the centre of almost everything that was good about City's display. He had several chances to add to his tally, but saw a couple of chances go just past the post and slipped at just the wrong time as he had the goal at his mercy.
Tevez drew plenty of fouls as Wigan struggled to contain the Argentinian star. He was substituted shortly before the end of the match and received a standing ovation from the traveling City fans, a sure sign that he had done a good job.
Manchester City's win takes them into the top four, a position they will hope to hold in 33 games time at the end of the season. If they are to secure such a position, a fully firing Tevez, like the one seen this weekend, will be essential. Given Tevez' current form, it doesn't appear as if coach Roberto Mancini should have any worries.
Dimitar Berbatov
5 of 5
Dimitar Berbatov knocked in a match winning hat-trick against Liverpool, including a spectacular overhead volley and a late header that saved the game for United. Berbatov has now notched up six goals in just five Premier League matches this season.
Berbatov has often been criticised as lazy and a waste of money(he cost £23.4million). However, this weekend, Berbatov showed why his price-tag was so high as he replicated the form he regularly showed at Tottenham. His hat-trick was the perfect combination of being in the right place at the right time and incredible skill; his overhead kick couldn't have been better placed.
Berbatov became the first Manchester United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in 64 years and at the same time he completed his first hat-trick for United. The Bulgarian must now look to continue his run of good form and prove his detractors wrong once and for all as United look to regain the Premier League crown.
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