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Garth Crooks' team of the week
By Garth Crooks
Liverpool started Sunday at the top of the table only to be usurped by the Manchester clubs, who both had outstanding results.
Stars of the weekend were Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko, while most neutrals would have been shocked by the capitulation of Arsenal. There is one thing worse than being hit for eight by United, however, and that would be sacking Arsene Wenger. Hurting Arsenal fans be warned.
TIM HOWARD
Goalkeeper
Everton
Produced the penalty save from Junior Hoilett which turned the match in Everton's favour. An outstanding performance from the American keeper in an otherwise sticky display by the Toffees.
Did you know? Saved more shots than any other goalkeeper over the weekend (seven), including one from the penalty spot.
JOSE ENRIQUE
Left-back
Liverpool
Another player who is in a rich vein of form and gets into my team for the second consecutive week. Great left foot and seldom gives the ball away.
Did you know? Made more crosses (eight) from open play than any other player at the weekend.
JONATHAN WOODGATE
Centre-back
Stoke
Another excellent performance by the former Spurs man. A player who has struggled all his career with injuries suddenly looks like one who has never had a problem with them in his life. I hope Stoke boss Tony Pulis has him on a 'play-and-pay' contract!
Did you know? Started his third successive Premier League game for the first time since May 2009.
JOSE BOSINGWA
Right-back
Chelsea
For the second week running Jose looks every bit the star. His continual raids down the right provided Chelsea with their opening goal and numerous options. One of the few shining lights in a Chelsea line-up still struggling to find its form.
Did you know? Had more ball touches in the opposition half than any other player over the weekend with 73.
RAMIRES
Midfield
Chelsea
He's no Zico or Rivelino but he covers twice the ground of either of those former Brazilian stars. The only Chelsea midfielder prepared to run beyond the strikers and commit the opposition, a feature which brought about the penalty and produced the game's turning point.
Did you know? Ramires has now completed the full 90 minutes in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career in England.
ASHLEY YOUNG
Midfield
Manchester United
Talk about adding insult to injury. Young's second and United's eighth goal was as good as his first. He looks like he has been playing for United for years and is getting better with every performance.
Did you know? Young was directly involved in five of the Red Devils' eight goals against Arsenal, scoring two and setting up three.
SAMIR NASRI
Midfield
Manchester City
What a debut. His link-up play with David Silva and Sergio Aguero destroyed Spurs and it spells danger for Manchester United. Nasri looks like the final piece in the jigsaw to mount a real Premier League title challenge.
Did you know? Made three times as many assists on his City debut (three) as he managed in the entire 2010/11 campaign (one).
JORDAN HENDERSON
Midfield
Liverpool
If ever there was a player made for the second Kenny Dalglish era at Anfield it is Henderson. Unselfish, committed and a real team man. An outstanding display crowned with his first Liverpool goal.
Did you know? Henderson scored his first Liverpool goal with his only attempted shot in the Reds' 3-1 victory over Bolton.
WAYNE ROONEY
Striker
Manchester United
New hairstyle and renewed confidence, Wayne's back to his imperious best. Two wonderful free-kicks and an emphatic penalty. He put Arsenal to the sword in a relentless display.
Did you know? Rooney collected his fifth Premier League hat-trick - his second this calendar year - against Arsenal.
FRANCO DI SANTO
Striker
Wigan
This player has huffed and puffed for two seasons and frightened no-one. At last he's started to hit the back of the net and look like a striker who just might fulfil his obvious potential. Great opening goal and a constant threat to a QPR in desperate need of inspiration.
Did you know? Doubled his overall Premier League goals tally with a brace at the DW Stadium against QPR.
EDIN DZEKO
Striker
Manchester City
For the second week running Dzeko has made it into my team. I said last week his confidence was growing and now it can't get much better. Lethal finishing and led the line without any fuss. How refreshing for Manchester City to have a real centre forward in the team and no prima donnas. At last!
Did you know? Dzeko became the first Manchester City player to net four goals in the same Premier League match
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9575141.stm
By Garth Crooks Liverpool started Sunday at the top of the table only to be usurped by the Manchester clubs, who both had outstanding results.
Stars of the weekend were Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko, while most neutrals would have been shocked by the capitulation of Arsenal. There is one thing worse than being hit for eight by United, however, and that would be sacking Arsene Wenger. Hurting Arsenal fans be warned.
TIM HOWARD
Goalkeeper
Everton
Produced the penalty save from Junior Hoilett which turned the match in Everton's favour. An outstanding performance from the American keeper in an otherwise sticky display by the Toffees.
Did you know? Saved more shots than any other goalkeeper over the weekend (seven), including one from the penalty spot.
JOSE ENRIQUE
Left-back
Liverpool
Another player who is in a rich vein of form and gets into my team for the second consecutive week. Great left foot and seldom gives the ball away.
Did you know? Made more crosses (eight) from open play than any other player at the weekend.
JONATHAN WOODGATE
Centre-back
Stoke
Another excellent performance by the former Spurs man. A player who has struggled all his career with injuries suddenly looks like one who has never had a problem with them in his life. I hope Stoke boss Tony Pulis has him on a 'play-and-pay' contract!
Did you know? Started his third successive Premier League game for the first time since May 2009.
JOSE BOSINGWA
Right-back
Chelsea
For the second week running Jose looks every bit the star. His continual raids down the right provided Chelsea with their opening goal and numerous options. One of the few shining lights in a Chelsea line-up still struggling to find its form.
Did you know? Had more ball touches in the opposition half than any other player over the weekend with 73.
RAMIRES
Midfield
Chelsea
He's no Zico or Rivelino but he covers twice the ground of either of those former Brazilian stars. The only Chelsea midfielder prepared to run beyond the strikers and commit the opposition, a feature which brought about the penalty and produced the game's turning point.
Did you know? Ramires has now completed the full 90 minutes in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career in England.
ASHLEY YOUNG
Midfield
Manchester United
Talk about adding insult to injury. Young's second and United's eighth goal was as good as his first. He looks like he has been playing for United for years and is getting better with every performance.
Did you know? Young was directly involved in five of the Red Devils' eight goals against Arsenal, scoring two and setting up three.
SAMIR NASRI
Midfield
Manchester City
What a debut. His link-up play with David Silva and Sergio Aguero destroyed Spurs and it spells danger for Manchester United. Nasri looks like the final piece in the jigsaw to mount a real Premier League title challenge.
Did you know? Made three times as many assists on his City debut (three) as he managed in the entire 2010/11 campaign (one).
JORDAN HENDERSON
Midfield
Liverpool
If ever there was a player made for the second Kenny Dalglish era at Anfield it is Henderson. Unselfish, committed and a real team man. An outstanding display crowned with his first Liverpool goal.
Did you know? Henderson scored his first Liverpool goal with his only attempted shot in the Reds' 3-1 victory over Bolton.
WAYNE ROONEY
Striker
Manchester United
New hairstyle and renewed confidence, Wayne's back to his imperious best. Two wonderful free-kicks and an emphatic penalty. He put Arsenal to the sword in a relentless display.
Did you know? Rooney collected his fifth Premier League hat-trick - his second this calendar year - against Arsenal.
FRANCO DI SANTO
Striker
Wigan
This player has huffed and puffed for two seasons and frightened no-one. At last he's started to hit the back of the net and look like a striker who just might fulfil his obvious potential. Great opening goal and a constant threat to a QPR in desperate need of inspiration.
Did you know? Doubled his overall Premier League goals tally with a brace at the DW Stadium against QPR.
EDIN DZEKO
Striker
Manchester City
For the second week running Dzeko has made it into my team. I said last week his confidence was growing and now it can't get much better. Lethal finishing and led the line without any fuss. How refreshing for Manchester City to have a real centre forward in the team and no prima donnas. At last!
Did you know? Dzeko became the first Manchester City player to net four goals in the same Premier League match
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9575141.stm