'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This week was the last one before the impending international break, and it provided numerous talking point.
Liverpool and Chelsea continued their perfect starts, winning against Leicester and Bournemouth respectively. Joining them level on points is Watford, who secured a surprising home win against Tottenham.
Manchester City won against Newcastle United, and neighbours United bounced back after their Old Trafford debacle with a 2-0 win at Burnley.
West Ham's disastrous start continued, as Wolves netted a stoppage-time winner to break their hearts and leave them without a point.
Elsewhere, Arsenal secured a thrilling 3-2 win at Cardiff, and Glenn Murray's brace rescued a point for Brighton against Fulham.
Now let us turn to the individual performances of the weekend. Here is the team of the week, starting with the man in goal.
Goalkeeper: Wayne Hennessey
Crystal Palace lost 2-0 against Southampton, but that was definitely not indicative of Hennessey's performance. The Welshman was at his best against the Saints and produced some great stops.
He came up with a terrific reflex save to deny what would have been a Luka Milivojevic own goal in the first half. Southampton was then awarded a penalty in the second half and Charlie Austin stepped up. But Hennessey denied him, saving smartly with his legs.
Danny Ings also forced him into a couple of saves and he was up to the task. Despite the loss, Hennessey is quietly and consistently impressing for an exciting Palace side.
Defence
Left-back: Jose Holebas (Watford)
Watford has been rampant in the league thus far, winning all of their matches. Impressive contributors have been aplenty, but Holebas' input has arguably been better than many.
He started with a bang on the opening weekend, contributing to both of Watford's goals then, and he did the same against Tottenham. Trailing by a goal, it was his set pieces which provided a platform for a Hornets comeback.
Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart scored from his crosses, which earned his side the three points. He was effective on the defensive end as well, negating the threat of Kieran Trippier and Lucas Moura to some extent.
Centre-back: Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Wolves grabbed a late winner at West Ham to earn their first win of the season, but the late heroics should not shadow their consistent defensive solidity.
Boly particularly was an absolute rock, repelling everything which the Hammers threw at him. He made 7 clearances, 2 interceptions, 3 blocks, and won 3 aerial duels. As the numbers suggest, he delivered a mammoth performance.
Centre-back: Craig Cathcart (Watford)
Score the winner against Tottenham in front of your fans to maintain a perfect record in the league. Craig Cathcart would not have believed you a month ago, after making just 7 league appearances last season.
But playing in a rejuvenated Watford side, Cathcart was brilliant against Spurs, protecting his goal and making a considerable ripple in the opposition's one. He made 2 interceptions, 10 clearances, 3 blocks, 2 tackles and scored the vital goal. Good day's work, isn't it?
Right-back: Cedric Soares (Southampton)
Completing the back four is Portuguese right-back, Cedric.
Up against really a winger in Patrick van Aanholt, Cedric held his own defensively and contributed in the attack as well. He assisted Danny Ings' opener with a long ball and completed 3 key passes in the game.
On the other end, he made 7 clearances and 3 tackles to preserve the clean sheet. A solid performance in an impressive away win for the Saints.
Midfield
Left winger: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Chelsea continued their stunning start after defeating Bournemouth in Hazard's first home start of the season. The Blues saw another masterful performance from the Belgian, guiding his side to the win.
Chelsea's talisman completed 5 dribbles, 5 key passes and scored the second goal of the afternoon to seal the win. It seems as though Hazard is settling in Maurizio Sarri's system, which is not a pleasant thought for opposition defences.
Central midfield: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Southampton)
Southampton picked up their first win of the season at Selhurst Park and Højbjerg was one of the main reasons why.
The Danish international was everywhere, completing more passes than anyone on the pitch. Along with the ball possession, he made 2 key passes, 2 dribbles, 2 tackles and 2 interceptions. He netted Southampton's second goal after a lung-bursting run in the closing stages.
A great showing from a talented player who often lets the lack of composure get the better of him.
Central midfield: James Milner (Liverpool)
Milner has been the model of consistency over the years, and it was evident against Leicester on Saturday.
Liverpool came up against a gutsy Foxes side but managed to eke out a 2-1 win. Milner was influential, making 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 4 blocks. He was efficient in circulating possession and assisted the goal which turned out to be the winner from Roberto Firmino.
Right winger: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
City were not at their flowing best against Newcastle but got the job done anyway. Sterling got them on their way, scoring a cracking goal in the first ten minutes.
He cut in, beat one defender and rifled a precise shot into the far corner. Sterling looked menacing throughout, compared to Mahrez on the other side who failed to impress.
The England international will look to further improve in this City side after a fruitful season last term. Goals like the one on Saturday will definitely add to the cause.
Forwards
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
Unai Emery handed Lacazette his first start of the season against Cardiff and boy he delivered. Arsenal came through with a 3-2 win and Lacazette was arguably their best player.
He was lively from the off, hitting the woodwork in the first half. Then he set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Arsenal's second in the first half with a delightful flick.
The Gunners' weak defence meant that Lacazette had the opportunity to score the winner, and score he did with a thunderous effort from a tight angle. The Frenchman provided Emery with food for thought and the Arsenal boss will think twice about benching him again.
Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
United was under pressure to win at Burnley after their demolition last Monday and Lukaku was especially due to a goal after his glaring miss at Old Trafford.
The Belgian responded magnificently, netting a brace to put United on course for a comfortable win. Lukaku opened the scoring with a deft header from Alexis Sanchez's cross. His second was a poacher's finish, pouncing on a loose ball to rifle home. He also completed 2 dribbles and won 3 aerial duels.
Here is the full team of the week:
