Arsenal took the bragging rights in North London yet again this weekend, and their victory against Tottenham Hotspur came with a couple of virtuoso performances from their two most talismanic players.Robin van Persie continues to impress, and his brace of goals has done nothing but enhance his reputation as one of the top marksmen in the Premier League. Cesc Fabregas, the 22-year-old
Gunners captain who is mature beyond his years, has been in sparkling form of late and carried that through with this performance, capped off by a wonderful goal.
Chelsea continue to set the pace at the top of the Premier League table, and their football was quite superb at times in the 4-0 romp at Bolton. Ricardo Carvalho was back to form at the back for the Blues, and also produced an outside-of-the-boot assist to add to his credentials.Midfielder Deco joins his Portuguese compatriot in the starting line-up, scoring and producing a performance that reminds Chelsea fans why he was signed from Porto. Frank Lampard can only make the bench as his teammate steals the limelight, while Didier Drogba also finds himself watching the action as a fellow Ivorian starts ahead of him.
Pompey striker Aruna Dindane starts up-front this week after the forward cashed in with a hat-trick against Wigan. Portsmouth boss Paul Hart needed a win, and it duly arrived with a 4-0 cruise at Fratton Park.
Manchester City keeper Shay Given is the usual suspect in goal, and the brilliant stopper seems to get better every week. The Irishman saved a penalty and produced several other saves to keep Birmingham at bay, and City owe a debt of gratitude to the keeper.
Blues keeper Maik Taylor makes the bench after a fine performance in the same game, while defender Roger Johnson sits next to him thanks to his clean sheet against the forward-flowing City.
Burnley continue to show their home strengths with a victory against Hull, although it was in controversial circumstances. Right back Graham Alexander scored both at Turf Moor and rightly gets a start.
Wolves defender Jody Craddock also bagged an unlikely brace, scoring two second-half goals away at Stoke to cement his place in our starting line-up.
Potters winger Matthew Etherington also gets in, setting up the first and then scoring a beautiful second at the Britannia Stadium in the same match.Jack Collison finds a starting place on the right after his performance away at
Sunderland. The
Hammers took a two goal lead thanks largely to the Welsh midfielder, who set up both and produced a fine all-round display.Kieran Richardson makes it to the bench thanks to an equaliser in the same game, which saw the Black Cats play 45 minutes with ten men.
Fulham defender Paul Konchesky completes the starting 11, and the left back was full of running at Craven Cottage as Liverpool were beaten 3-1. A great team effort from the Cottagers, who are unlucky to see only one player in the GMF squad.Not often the last to be talked about, but
Manchester United have a couple of players making it onto the bench, with striker Dimitar Berbatov an obvious choice thanks to his spectacular goal. Patrice Evra also makes the cut thanks to an assist to go with the Red Devils' clean sheet.
Team: Shay Given, Graham Alexander, Ricardo Carvalho, Jody Craddock, Paul Konchesky, Jack Collison, Deco, Cesc Fabregas, Matthew Etherington, Aruna Dindane, Robin van Persie.Subs: Maik Taylor, Roger Johnson, Patrice Evra, Frank Lampard, Kieran Richardson, Didier Drogba, Dimitar Berbatov.
