English Premier League Team Of The Week: Chelsea & Liverpool Players Miss Out
Another weekend of football has come and gone, and yet another string of shocking results have left the Premier League wide open.
Chelsea endured their first defeat of the season at the hands of Manchester City. Carlos Tevez delivered the killer strike that left Chelsea without any points early Saturday.
But despite the leaders slip-up, none of their nearest rivals could really take full advantage.
Arsenal suffered the shock of the weekend by losing 3-2 to West Brom. WBA were up 3 nil at one stage in the game. Tottenham were the third London team that failed to win against fellow Londoners West Ham.
Manchester United and Liverpool both failed to pick up wins. Both teams drew 2-2 to Bolton and Sunderland respectively.
So its that time again. Team of the Week time. The formation I will use is 3-4-3, not because I use that every week for my fantasy football, but because there was so little good defending showcases last weekend.
Goalkeeper: Mark Schwarzer - Fulham
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Mark Hughes didn't want to lose him at the start of the season and it was clear why after his performance against Everton.
Fulham picked up a point against bottom side Everton, but it could have been less if their No.1 was not in top form.
Everton's striker Yakubu may have had a hat trick on a different day, but Schwarzer ensured that Fulham kept their point, and a clean sheet.
A strong attack from Everton in the final minutes was culled by some fine saves from Mark Schwarzer.
Centre Back: Robert Huth - Stoke City
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Giving away a penalty is rarely going to get you into the team of the week, but Robert Huth came back from his mistake to lead his team to victory.
Huth could be forgiven for feeling slightly hard done by in conceding the penalty. He then went on to set up Stoke striker Jones to level it up.
A cross came in to the far post, Huth rose ahead of his marker and headed the ball back across goal to an open Jones.
Huth caused more trouble in the Newcastle box and his movement and threat caused Perch to head the ball into his own net and gift Stoke the win.
Centre Back: Vincent Kompany - Manchester City
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Manchester City really wanted to go out and prove a point by performing against Chelsea and their backline certainly done that, and there was none better than Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian defender found himself being shifted between defensive midfield and defense last year but after a man of the match performance in the heart of the defense for City, there is no doubt that he is becoming City's best centre half.
Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka could do very little to penetrate City's backline.
Centre Back: James Collins - Aston Villa
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James Collins had to play at the heart of the Villa defense without his usual partner in crime. Despite the omission of Richard Dunne in the Villa defense, James Collins stood up and carried the load for his team.
Kevin Doyle and Stephen Fletcher had very little space to work with thanks to the hard work of Collins.
Dominate in defense for Villa all game and everything in the air was dealt with easy by the big centre back.
Right Midfield: Nani - Manchester United
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Manchester United were not at their sparkling best, but one player that could hold his head u after his game was Nani.
The Portuguese winger played with great pace and desire and nothing summed that up more than the great single-handed goal he scored to bring United back level with Bolton.
Nani skipped past three Bolton players and drove the ball into the back to the net after picking the ball up at the halfway line.
He also brought United back level yet again after sending a lovely ball into the box which Michael Owen just had to flick backwards into the Bolton net.
Centre Midfield: Nigel de Jong - Manchester City
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Despite Vincent Kompany putting in a great shift for City, one that would win a man of the match in most games was just bettered by Nigel de Jong.
The Dutch midfielder faced heavy criticism after the World Cup final for what many considered was thuggery tactics against Spain, but against Chelsea, he showed that he has the talent and skill to break a team down and kill their attacks within the rules of the game.
Chelsea had to fight their way past de Jong during every attack, and during the majority of them they failed to bypass the Dutchman.
Centre Midfield: Samir Nasri - Arsenal
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The shock of the season so far occurred last weekend when Arsenal lost to West Brom. West Brom were the better team over the 90 minutes, but give credit were credit is due, Samir Nasri never gave up on the result and he nearly brought Arsenal back from the brink.
Two goals late from the Frenchman nearly tied the game back up. Nasri was the only Arsenal player who really played to par. He was a constant threat and showed great footwork, control and finishing with two nicely netted goals.
Nasri is showing that he is more than capable of filling the void that is being left by Cesc Fabregas.
Left Midfield: Martin Petrov - Bolton Wanderers
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When you sign a player for free, there is nothing to lose for the team or the manager, but plenty to gain, and that is just what happened to Bolton and Owen Coyle on the weekend.
Martin Petrov joined the Reebok Stadium for free after being released by Man City and he paid massive dividends for Bolton against United.
Petrov set-up the first Bolton goal, by whipping in a great corner. He then put Bolton ahead for the second time by cutting inside the Untied defense and thumping a shot past Darren Fletcher and Edwin van der Saar.
Striker: Darren Bent - Sunderland
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Last season Darren Bent scored a goal against Liverpool that caused a great deal of controversy. The Two he netted against Liverpool had not doubts surrounding them.
Bent caused Liverpool's back four a great deal of trouble throughout the game, and he leveled the game up after forcing a powerful penalty past Pepe Reina.
He then put Sunderland ahead with a great diving header. Bent lost his marker and then dove to head home.
Striker: Kevin Davies - Bolton Wanderers
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Despite not getting his name on the scoresheet, or even managing an assist, Kevin Davies was the single most important player in a Bolton jersey against United.
Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic struggled all game long to try and deal with Davies' strength and physical presence.
Every long ball that was put in and around him, Davies took control of it and brought the rest of his team into play, or won a set-piece.
One of the most underrated players in the Premier League showed just how influential he is to Bolton, and United will be delighted if they don't see him again this season.
Striker: Jerome Thomas - West Bromwich Albion
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Jermone Thomas knows all there is too know about Arsenal, as he spent the start of his career there. But no one could have guessed that he would have caused such a problem for the Gunners.
Thomas was a thorn in the side of Arsenal's defense all game. Thomas breezed past Bacary Sagna along the byline to set up West Brom's first goal.
He was not finished there. He then started a move from the left once again easing from the wing to the centre.
He sent the ball to Brunt and was then on hand to finish the move he began, and finish Arsenal, and a great personal day for him off in perfect style.
