Adam Federici (Reading): Reading earned a rare clean sheet as they beat West Ham 1-0 at the weekend, thanks in no small part to a bravura display from the Australian.
Alex Pearce (Reading): The Irish international has been a key part of Reading’s defence, which has been in resurgent form of late following their embarrassing thrashing against Arsenal a while back, and Pearce’s commanding display stood out again on Saturday.
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan): Boyce looked impressive in both defence and attack as Wigan easily overcame Aston Villa, producing an accomplished finish for his side’s second goal.
Daniel Agger (Liverpool): Agger was solid throughout Liverpool’s victory over QPR at Loftus Road, reducing the hosts to pot shots. He also scored the third goal of the match, heading home powerfully from a corner.
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham): Justly named Man of the Match in Tottenham’s win at Sunderland, the winger also scored the game’s winner to cap off an imperious display.
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal): While their defence can’t always be relied upon, Arsenal’s midfield lynchpin most certainly can, as Cazorla dictated proceedings during the Gunners’ 7-3 defeat of Newcastle.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea): Like a fine wine, Lampard grows better with age – or so his performance against Everton yesterday would suggest. The England international bagged a brace, scoring two typically well-taken goals during the game, and illustrating what Chelsea would be missing if they choose to let him go imminently, as rumours have suggested they will.
Gareth Bale (Tottenham): Like many wingers playing professional football currently, Bale has pace and strength to burn. Nonetheless, what separates him from his counterparts is the intelligence with which he plays the game, and the astuteness of his decision-making – aspects of his play that were amply demonstrated against Sunderland.
Theo Walcott: (Arsenal): Can Walcott play as a central striker for Arsenal on a regular basis? His performance on Saturday was a pretty convincing argument suggesting he is more than capable of adapting to the role.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool): Suarez was, as has been the case many times this season, by far and away the best player on the field in the first half of Liverpool’s encounter with QPR, as his pace and quick-thinking overwhelmed the hosts’ defence at times.
Edin Dzeko (Man City): Some people have argued that Dzeko is more effective coming on as a substitute rather than starting games. However, Mancini ignored this claim yesterday, putting him in the side from the beginning of City’s encounter with Norwich. And the Italian coach was duly rewarded, as the Bosnian international consequently notched a hat-trick (though some consider his third to have been a Bunn own goal) that marginally got his side over the line, despite a valiant display from the Canaries.
Subs: Gerhard Tremmel (Swansea), Ivan Ramis (Wigan), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Shaun Maloney (Wigan), Demba Ba (Newcastle).
