EPL Hot 11: Yakubu Scores Four, Mata, Vermaelen Hot in Match Day 14

Blackburn's Yakubu headlines this week's edition of the Premier League Hot 11 with his four-goal effort.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie got back onto the scorecard after a one-game absence as his teammate, Thomas Vermaelen, scored for the second consecutive match.

Other returners include Daniel Sturridge, Gareth Bale and Mario Balotelli

Every week, 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.

Yakubu

Yakubu's four-goal effort landed him the top spot in this week's EPL Hot 11.

It all began in the 20th minute when Yakubu blasted a Gael Givet pass first time into the right 90.

Then in the second minute of extra time in the first half, Yakubu was simply in the right place at the right time. After a corner, Simon Vukcevic lashed the ball back towards the net before Yakubu got his head to it leaving no time for the keeper to respond.

The Nigerian put in another header early in the second half. Morten Pedersen's corner found Chris Samba at the far post, and the defender put it back towards Yakubu right in front of goal for Blackburn's third score.

Rovers and Yakubu sealed the game with under 10 minutes to go after Vukcevic drew a foul in the box. A collected finish into the right corner meant a 4-2 finish for Blackburn and a much needed three points.

Steven Fletcher

Steven Fletcher captured a full three points for Wolverhampton in its 2-1 win over Sunderland Sunday, using his 73rd- and 81st-minute goals to rally to a victory at Molineux.

After Sebastian Larsson missed a penalty in the 73rd, Fletcher headed down a Matt Jarvis cross just 25 seconds later for the equalizer.

Eight minutes later, a ball into the box was chested down by Jamie O'Hara, leaving Fletcher with a clean shot on goal.

Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie got back on track with a late goal in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Wigan Saturday, but an assist would come first.

Not even two minutes after Mikel Arteta opened the scoring, van Persie's corner found the head of Thomas Vermaelen who headed the ball into the net at the near post.

The Dutchman had scored 10 goals over five games before failing to net a goal last weekend, but he would not be denied in the 78th minute for his Premier League-leading 14th goal of the season.

Theo Walcott chased down a long through ball before laying it back to van Persie for a right-footed finish.

Thomas Vermaelen

With two goals in as many games, Thomas Vermaelen now has three scores in his last four Premier League appearances.

The Belgian would make the scorecard first with an assist in the 28th minute. After laying the ball off to Mikel Arteta near midfield, Arteta continued his run before unleashing a dipping effort past the keeper.

Less than two minutes later, Vermaelen headed home a Robin van Persie corner kick for a 2-0 advantage.

Gareth Bale

Aside from Robin van Persie, there may not be another Premier League footballer that is in better form than Tottenham's Gareth Bale.

The Welshman has recorded at least a goal or an assist in his last five league games, a span in which Bale has put up four goals and four assists.

In Spurs' 3-0 win over Bolton Sunday, Bale picked up an early goal and a late assist.

A seventh minute corner kick from Luka Modric found Bale at the near post. With a left-footed flick-on, Bale's deflection hit the side netting at the far post for an early advantage.

With a 2-0 lead going into the 60th minute, another corner kick found Bale before he headed it on to Jermain Defoe right in front of the net.

Daniel Sturridge

Chelsea's young striker has been consistent this season as he leads the club with seven goals.

With a late score in the Blues' 3-0 win over Newcastle, Daniel Sturridge has netted once in three straight matches.

He had several attempts on goal, but it was his final effort that made the score sheet. After dribbling into the box, Sturridge danced around two defenders before firing a low, left-footed shot that beat Tim Krul to add an extra tally to an already victorious Chelsea side.

Juan Mata

Juan Mata has been worth every pound that Chelsea paid for him.

With an assist in the Blues' 3-1 win over Newcastle, Mata (7) trails only Manchester City's David Silva (8) in assists.

In the 39th minute, Mata corralled a throw-in before lifting a looping ball towards Didier Drogba who finished cleanly with his head to open the scoring.

For the former Valencia playmaker, that makes a goal and three assists in his last two games.

Adam Johnson

A late assist and an even later goal landed Adam Johnson back into the Hot 11 this week after a five-match day absence.

In Manchester City's 5-1 win over Norwich City Saturday, the crafty midfielder would influence City's fourth and fifth goals.

Yaya Toure found Johnson on a diagonal run in the 88th minute before the English national dropped it back to Mario Balotelli, who eventually finished with his right shoulder.

Just three minutes later, Vincent Kompany found a wide open Johnson on a switch. The 24-year-old calmly passed a left-footed shot into the side netting to put a stamp on CIty's convincing win.

Theo Walcott

For the third straight league contest, Theo Walcott recorded an assist, this time in a 4-0 thrashing of Wigan Saturday.

Putting a final stamp on the victory, Walcott chased down a long pass before laying it off for the Gunners' top scorer, Robin van Persie, who would not be denied.

In Walcott's last five games, the speedy winger has recorded a goal and three dimes for Arsenal.

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli has not played an entire 90-minute match in the Premier League in five games, but he has recorded three goals over that span.

The Italian came on in City's 5-1 win over Norwich in the 71st minute, scoring on a cheeky shoulder deflection in the 88th minute.

After receiving a lay-off from Adam Johnson, Balotelli's initial effort ballooned into the air right in front of the left post. The 21-year-old settled under the ball before finishing with his shoulder.

Samir Nasri

Although it may have been the most unexpected goal of the weekend, it may have been the most technical.

Samir Nasri's 51st minute free-kick curled towards the back post. Virtually every player on the pitch, including the Norwich City keeper, expected another touch. When it did not come, it was too late as the ball was destined for the side netting.

Nasri's goal came from well over 35 meters out, as it was one of the longest goals of the season.