EPL Hot 11: Danny Welbeck Debuts, Luis Suarez Means Goals in Match Day 2

We're two rounds into the 2011 English Premier League season, and already both Manchester clubs are making headlines atop the table.

Both United and City recorded three scores apiece in their respective Match Day 2 fixtures, as Wayne Rooney and David Silva recorded their second goals of the campaign. Danny Welbeck impressed as well as he makes his debut in the EPL Hot 11.

Ivan Klasnic tops the rankings this week with an impressive goal against City.

Other Hot 11 debuts include City's Edin Dzeko and Gareth Barry, Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor, West Brom's Shane Long and QPR's Tommy Smith, who recorded a milestone goal for the west Londoners.

Every Wednesday, 11 footballers in the Premier League will make up the EPL Hot 11, a fluctuating power ranking that highlights the top performers over the course of the entire season. Dependent on their match-day performances, players may move up or down the list each week.

Ivan Klasnic (Last Week: 4)

Ivan Klasnic tops this week's EPL Hot 11 with another impressive goal, this time against the defensive-minded Manchester City.

Klasnic hooked up with Martin Petrov who powered a cross to just outside the left side of the six-yard box. The Croatian drilled his first touch under Joe Hart's legs to bring Bolton to a goal down.

That makes two very encouraging goals and one exquisite assist from the one time substitute. With the Trotters not returning either Johan Elmander or Daniel Sturridge, a couple of the club's more productive forwards from last season, Klasnic's early good form has come as a surprise.

David Silva (Last Week: 2)

Manchester City has benefit heavily from David Silva's early run of confidence and form contributing to both of the club's wins so far.

The Spanish international scored in the City's opener against Swansea, and he made his presence felt again against Bolton with an attempt on goal that should have been saved. Instead, Silva is one of three City players with two goals to date.

Luis Suarez (Last Week: 7)

His presence has meant goals so far for Liverpool.

Despite his missed penalty, Luis Suarez has been involved in three goals, though just two are to his name.

The former Ajax man was the target of a Raul Meireles pass that resulted in an Arsenal own goal, then proceeded to seal the coffin in Liverpool's 2-0 triumph over the Gunners at the Emirates.

He may not be the most orthodox striker. But again, his mere presence has led to goals, and that has to count for something.

Wayne Rooney (Last Week: 5)

Wayne Rooney was praiseworthy in Match Day 1, netting the opening goal against West Brom. But against Spurs on Monday, the United striker was kept magnificently quiet until he whipped a free header past Brad Friedel en route to the 3-0 victory.

United's number 10 has one with his foot and one with his head, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down.

Surrounded by a litany of young footballers, Rooney and co. will improve tremendously in the coming weeks, which is bad news for any club on United's schedule.

Danny Welbeck (Last Week: NR)

Danny Welbeck was unimpressive in the first half against Tottenham, but he turned on the switch in the second to help shoulder United to a 3-0 win over Spurs.

The 20-year-old striker was a handful for Harry Redknapp's defenders, using his strength to head home the opening goal well out of reach of Spurs' new keeper Brad Friedel.

Welbeck had his say in United's second goal as well, laying a beautiful backheel to an oncoming Anderson who belted his attempt into the back of the net.

If this is the type of weekly performance expected of Welbeck, then Sir Alex Ferguson has one of the most potent and interchangeably groups of strikers in the Premier League.

Shane Long (Last Week: NR)

In West Brom's first two fixtures of the season, the Baggies drew Manchester United and Chelsea, a double dose of bad luck for Roy Hodgson's side.

Despite both matches resulting in 2-1 losses, the bright spot has been Shane Long, who has scored in each game.

Not many Premier League strikers can claim that they have scored against United and Chelsea in consecutive fixtures. For that reason alone, however average those goals may be, Long lands in the EPL Hot 11.

Sergio Aguero (Last Week: 1)

The big money City signing was quiet in Match Day 2 after debuting with a double in his debut, but Sergio Aguero still garners a spot in the EPL Hot 11.

His two-goal effort was no fluke, as he will certainly secure much of the attention from opposing squads.

Though many expected two Argentine forwards in City's attacking third, Aguero was subbed off for none other than Carlos Tevez.

City has amassed quite the roster of top quality players, and Aguero is at the top of that list. But another quiet week and the former Atletico man won't be on this one.

Gabriel Agbonlahor (Last Week: NR)

Gabriel Agbonlahor played a critical role in Aston Villa's 3-1 win over Blackburn on Saturday, having say in two of Villa's goals.

The 24-year-old opened scoring in the 12th minute with a magical curler from outside the box. Thirteen minutes later, the former England international demonstrated great strength before setting up Emile Heskey's dribbling goal.

With the loss of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing over the summer, Villa will need bigger contributions up front from the likes of Agbonlahor and Darren Bent.

Agbonlahor battled form and injury issues all last season, but maybe this is his calling card for a inspiring 2011 campaign.

Gareth Barry (Last Week: NR)

Manchester City's Gareth Barry debuts in the EPL Hot 11 via an early entry for goal of the season.

Barry has been the center of some discussion as far as his worth to the club, but his scorcher from beyond the box may extinguish the negative talk.

The City midfielder won't light up the scoresheet with too many goals this season, but he should contribute from his holding position.

His form was typically poor last season, but perhaps this is the lift he needs to really take off. 

Edin Dzeko (Last Week: NR)

Manchester City's costly winter signing Edin Dzeko has hardly unfolded in the way the club has hoped since his arrival, but perhaps the promise he demonstrated at Wolfsburg has finally made it to the Etihad Stadium.

The Bosnian recorded his second goal in as many games for City, helping the club to the top spot in the table.

Dzeko's hefty price tag finally may be showing some worth.

Tommy Smith (Last Week: NR)

It's been a long time coming, but Tommy Smith recorded the first goal for Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League in 15 years, a noteworthy mark for the west London-based club.

Smith's goal was determinant in Rangers' 1-0 triumph over Everton as the club sit mid-table despite its -3 goal difference.

But a win is a win is a win, and QPR will need every point it can manage in an effort to maintain a spot in England's top flight.