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Jose Fonte of Southampton was the star of the week as he not only put in an excellent defensive performance, but also grabbed the all important equaliser for the Saints (Getty Images)
Whilst David Moyes’ first home game ended in a stalemate against Chelsea, it was the club’s city rivals who made all the news after their shock defeat to newly promoted Cardiff City. The other Champions League contenders, Arsenal and Tottenham, won in contrasting fashion whilst Newcastle United, Norwich City and Crystal Palace struggled as they failed to register their first win of the season.
After a round of games that saw nine teams draw blanks, including three nil-nil draws, let us look at who did well enough to feature in this week’s Premier League XI.
GK: Ben Foster (West Brom)
After yet another outstanding display, despite playing just 78 minutes, Ben Foster was the star of the show as he helped his side snatch a point against an energetic Everton outfit at Goodison Park last Saturday.
Ben Foster claimed his 38th Premier League clean sheet by making seven saves, the most by any goalkeeper this weekend, to help the Baggies score their first point of the campaign.
RB: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Jose Mourinho set up to ensure that they didn’t lose; and they didn’t. Ivanovic played a key role in ensuring a clean sheet for Jose as he contained the lively Danny Welbeck with some timely interceptions.
Ivanovic put his head on the chopping block and cleared everything that came to him and after just three games, he already has 26 clearances to his name, three behind Jose Fonte.
CB: Jose Fonte (Southampton)
If Ivanovic had a stellar defensive game against United, Fonte went one better as he capped off his performance with a goal right at the end to snatch a point for his side in their first home game of the season.
Fonte also won 6 aerial duels, made 2 interceptions and attempted 52 passes with a success rate of 88% and in my opinion was the star of the week.
CB: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
After Vidic promised United fans that he will stay clear of injury and play a vital role this season, he starred in an otherwise listless game in which both sides were guilty of misplacing the final ball. Vidic was a defensive rock and snuffed whatever little attacking play that Chelsea made last night.
LB: Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
Whilst most of his team mates didn’t really have a great game yet again, Santon was the sole shining light as Newcastle held on for a nervy nil-nil draw. His overlaps from the left-back position were the primary source of Newcastle’s attacks which highlighted his true potential.
CM: Etienne Capoue (Tottenham Hotspur)
Barely a few weeks into his Spurs career, Capoue has already started to replicate the form which resulted in his arrival from Toulose. He completed 90% of his passes and excelled in the defensive aspect of his game and his partnership with Paulinho looks like one that a lot of teams would struggle to break down.
CM: Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
After a fabulous first year in the Premier League, the Spaniard has picked up from where he left off last year, where he was pivotal to Arsenal’s attack. In the 3-1 win against Fulham, Cazorla completed 94% of his passes whilst playing an instrumental role in setting up all three goals.
RM: James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Though just 18 years of age, James Ward-Prowse already appears to be a real handful. Operating mainly off of the right flank but also capable of drifting in, the teenager showed just what he is made of against Sunderland as he made 14 crosses and 6 tackles (most by any player last weekend) and also came up with the pivotal assist that helped his side snatch a late point against Sunderland.
LM: Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
The German international was clinical in his finishing as he scored a brace and provided the finishing touch to the pivotal passes made by the Spanish team-mate Cazorla. He demonstrated his predatory instincts with both his left footed strikes, leaving Arsene Wenger a happy man.
ST: Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff City)
Whilst not many would have predicted that Cardiff would beat Manchester City in just their second game of the season, it was made possible thanks to Campbell’s finishing. He notched up his first brace of his Premier League career, whilst taking his overall tally to 8 goals from 72 games.
ST: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Ever since signing for Liverpool, Sturridge has been in fine form and he continued that last weekend whilst scoring the only goal and securing Liverpool’s second straight victory and clean sheet of the season. In the absence of Suarez, Sturridge has flourished alongside Coutinho, with whom he has built a devastating partnership.
