EPL Hot 11: Frank Lampard, Andy Johnson Score Hat Tricks in Match Day 7

A number of footballers make their debuts in the Premier League Hot 11 this week, with Frank Lampard and Andy Johnson leading the pack with hat tricks in their respective matches.

Other newcomers include Nicklas Bendtner, Kyle Walker and Mario Balotelli, each scoring in wondrous and critical moments for their clubs.

Returning to the rankings this week are last week's top man Demba Ba, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Samir Nasri and Gabriel Agbonlahor, all contributing in multiple ways in winning form.

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.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has been at the heart of controversy at Stamford Bridge, as the veteran midfielder seemingly lost his starting place in Andres Villas-Boas' scheme.

The rangy midfielder won a place in the starting 11 against Bolton in Chelsea's 5-1 decision at the Reebok, and Lampard silenced critics by recording a hat trick, his first since scoring four goals in a 7-1 win over Aston Villa in March of 2010.

Though not recorded in spectacular fashion as is customary a Lampard strike, the 33-year-old still has a very capable nose for the goal as he debuts in the top spot in this week's EPL Hot 11.

Andy Johnson

While Lampard was scoring in bunches at the Reebok, Andy Johnson hosted his own party at Craven Cottage.

The Fulham striker completed his hat trick at the hour mark, as the Cottagers left no doubt in their decisive 6-0 pounding of Queens Park Rangers.

Goals will always be goals, no matter the manner in which they are scored. All three of Johnson's scores can be labeled as true poacher goals for the striker, as he buried his hat trick from in and around the six-yard box.

As Johnson debuts in the Hot 11, Fulham debuts in the win column, picking up its first three points in the Premier League this season.

Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge returns to the Hot 11 this week with his two-goal, one-assist effort in Chelsea's 5-1 over Bolton.

The striker, who spent half of last season with the Trotters, returned to the Reebok where he scored eight goals in 11 appearances for the home team. His good form at the venue continued.

While Chelsea arguably may have the most talent in England's top flight, there is no single footballer that has made a name as a goal-scorer this season.

Sturridge has provided that change of pace forward in the attacking third for the Blues; perhaps his return to the Reebok will spark a rise in form.

Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri is creating quite a stir in Manchester, giving Ashley Young a run for his money as the more influential signing of the summer.

The former Arsenal man started on the bench against Blackburn, but promptly was inserted into the match after Sergio Aguero left with an injury.

In City's 4-0 win, Nasri provided heavy contributions, picking up two assists and a goal, his first for the club since joining the Blues in late August.

For the Frenchman, that makes six assists and a goal in six appearances for a City side that continues to keep pace with United atop the table.

Demba Ba

After recording a hat trick last weekend to open his score sheet for the season, Demba Ba added another goal to his card this week in Newcastle's 2-1 win at Molineux.

With his 17th-minute header off of a corner, the Magpies grabbed an early lead. Ba's goal makes four goals in two games for the Senegalese international.

Ba has impressed so far for Newcastle, which is one of four clubs that remain unbeaten in the Premier League.

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is at it again.

After scoring in the first two matches of the season, the Uruguayan international went three more without a goal, subsequently forcing him out of the Hot 11.

Now with goals in consecutive games against Everton and Wolves, Suarez again makes a home in this week's rankings.

In all competitions this season, the Reds have not lost when Suarez has recorded either a goal or an assist.

How is that for impact? 

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Gabriel Abgonlahor debuted in Match Day 2's edition of the EPL Hot 11, but he hasn't quite warranted a return trip since then.

In Aston Villa's 2-0 win against Wigan, the striker had his foot in both goals for the home side. After opening the scoring with an unstoppable shot into the top of the net in the 36th minute, the England international found Darren Bent inside the box in the 62nd, and he couldn't miss.

Agbonlahor's contributions helped Villa maintain its unbeaten streak, making the club one of four in the Premier League without a loss to its name this season.

Nicklas Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner finally put in a well-deserved performance for the Black Cats as he debuts in the EPL Hot 11 for his efforts in Sunderland's 2-2 draw with West Brom.

The on-loan Arsenal man, who was the center of much discontent at the Emirates, had not put his name on the score sheet for his host club this season.

With two assists to his name going into Saturday's fixture, the Danish international recorded a goal and his third dime of the season.

Bendtner's shot took a deflection in the 24th minute that brought Sunderland to a 2-1 deficit. Minutes later, the 23-year-old poured in a cross from the left flank, finding Ahmed Elmohamady who headed home the tying goal.

For a club struggling to find its form, consistent play from Bendtner could lift its spirit.

Wayne Rooney

The Premier League's top scorer came inches shy of recording what would have been his 10th goal of the campaign.

Instead, the statistically best striker in the league managed an assist in United's 2-0 win over Norwich on Saturday.

How is this for efficiency? In Wayne Rooney's six appearances (out of seven) in England's top flight, the striker has recorded either an assist or a goal in each match.

Is there a team that can halt his production? With Liverpool and Manchester City next on the list of fixtures, keeping Rooney off the score sheet would go quite a ways towards a victory.

Mario Balotelli

With Carlos Tevez slowly running out of favor with Manchester City, Mario Balotelli has moved out of the doghouse and into much better graces.

After scoring as a substitute against Everton, the Italian started on Saturday against Blackburn.

Balotelli nearly opened the scoring with a curling attempt from the far reaches of the penalty box, but his effort caromed off the woodwork.

The 21-year-old wasn't denied in the 59th minute, guiding a Samir Nasri cross into the near post in a display that showed Balotelli's technical ability.

Kyle Walker

The North London Derby brought the best of competition from both sides, as the home club Tottenham rode Kyle Walker's 73rd-minute belter to a 2-1 decision over the still-struggling Gunners.

Walker's attempt from outside the box, which has become a signature shot for the 21-year-old, should have been parried away from the Arsenal keeper, but the ball dipped under the arms of Wojciech Szczesny.

In arguably the biggest standing rivalry in the Premier League, Walker's finish puts into perspective the movement of both clubs in the table. Tottenham's winning form continues as it has won four consecutive league fixtures while Arsenal has won just two of its last six.