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A week of highly anticipated Premier League action has drawn to a close. The results during the opening week were more or less on expected lines, barring Arsenal‘s upset at the hands of Aston Villa. Chelsea along with the two Manchester outfits- United and City, went on to record near perfect starts with impressive wins over Hull City, Swansea City and Newcastle United respectively.
The other top-4 challengers in Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur managed to scrape past their opponents in narrow 1-0 wins. Norwich City and Everton were involved in an exciting 2-2 draw, with a couple of exceptional performances from both sides.
While Fulham and Southampton pipped Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion respectively, by a solitary goal, West Ham United had a more resounding performance against newcomers Cardiff City in a 2-0 win.
Despite some not-so-big-names doing their bit in the teams’ success, a lot of high-profile names running with high expectations came to the fore.
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Here’s my pick for the team of the week, going with a 4-4-2 formation:
GK: Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begovic of Stoke City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on August 17, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Despite his opposite number Simon Mignolet grabbing all the headlines, for a terrific double save off a Jonathon Walters’ penalty late into the game, it was Begovic who kept Stoke City in the game with many more saves, all of supreme quality. If not for Begovic, Stoke could have slumped to a heavy defeat, marking a sour start to the Mark Hughes era.
RB: Stephen Whittaker
There was good competition for the right-back spot, with both Steven Whittaker of Norwich and Seamus Coleman of Everton putting in brilliant shifts. Though Coleman has risen to be one of the best full-backs in the league, Whittaker takes this week’s spot for his heroic performance for the Canaries.
His brilliant runs down the flank, to go with his goal and an assist, helped Norwich salvage an important point against an impressive Toffees outfit.
RCB: Nemanja Vidic
Vidic has been a stellar performer for United over the course of his long tenure at Old Trafford, and despite injuries, his authority has not faded. Vidic showed just why he is regarded as one of the top centre-backs in the world last weekend. Swansea broke forward on numerous occasions and it was Vidic, both in the air and on the ground, who put the brakes on the opposition and stamped his authority. It was a commanding performance from the Serbian.
LCB: Jan Vertonghen
The Belgian looks equally good at the centre or left of defence. Vertonghen has become an integral part of the Tottenham defence since joining last season after the departure of Ledley King and an ageing William Gallas. Vertonghen was not only astute in defence, but pushed forward with ease, helping his midfield and front-line as well.
Vertonghen looked assured at the back and was at ease passing the ball, clearing it or going in fully for the aerial duels. Newcomers Crystal Palace went on attack rarely, but pounced on each loose ball, and Vertonghen was on his feet to keep away any danger.
LB: Luke Shaw
The young left-back is surely the future of England. Having featured in 22 games last season, the 18-year-old has matured into a modern day full-back, comfortable in both the attacking third and his his own defensive zone.
Luke had a host of telling runs down the left against West Brom, and it was his brilliance in the final third that got Southampton a late penalty, and more importantly, three points to kick-start their season.
CM: Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley of Everton attempts to get past Wes Hoolihan of Norwich City during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Everton at Carrow Road on August 17, 2013 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Another one of those brilliant youngsters touted to be the future of England. The 19-year-old was handed a surprise start by new boss Roberto Martinez. But he proved just why that was a master-stroke. The Rooney-like youngster proved his mettle, stepping up to the plate with a marvellous performance, marshalling the midfield very well.
The youngster boasts immense pace and great technical skill, which enabled him to score a thunderous long range strike to equalize for the Toffees.
CM: Fabian Delph
The Aston Villa youngster had an immensely improved final six weeks of the Premier League campaign, and the 23-year-old Englishman seems to have carried that form with an excellent performance against Arsenal.
In the highly competitive midfield area, with Arsenal boasting Wilshere, Rosicky and the talented Ramsey, Delph bettered his opposite numbers in a gritty display.
In what was overall a brilliant performance from the all-action, box-to-box dynamo, the highlight remained his surging run in the second half where he steadied himself and slammed a grass-cutter against Wojciech Szczesny’s left-hand post from 22 yards.
RM: Joe Cole
The former Chelsea and Liverpool man has answered his doubters and critics with an astounding performance at the weekend. The crafty midfielder put in a brilliant shift wide and went on to score against the new boys Cardiff City.
Apart from scoring, Cole proved a constant threat with his surging runs and neat exchanges, and handed in a sorry beginning for Cardiff City, who have made it to the top flight after a gap of 51 years.
LM: Eden Hazard
The young Belgian could not get himself on the score sheet, but was a bright spark for Chelsea down the left, combining well with the attacking duo of Oscar and Torres.
The 22-year-old starlet created as many as six goal scoring chances to go with his occasional right footed shoots, to try and extend Chelsea’s lead, but failed. Certainly not his best performance, but still well above the standards.
RS: Danny Welbeck
Manchester United’s English striker Danny Welbeck (L) celebrates scoring his second and his team’s fourth goal with Manchester United’s English defender Phil Jones (C) and Manchester United’s English midfielder Tom Cleverley (R) during the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales, on August 17, 2013. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Danny Welbeck netted a superb brace to repay the faith shown in him by David Moyes. From an easy tap-in in the first half to a superb chip in the second, Welbeck already has more goals in a single game this season than the whole of last season.
The youngster looked good after a rather feeble performance midweek in a friendly against Scotland. The 22-year-old combined well with his attacking partners and looked a constant threat for the span of the game.
With the versatility of playing on the left, Welbeck would certainly be a very useful player for Moyes this season.
LS: Robin Van Persie
The man who led Manchester United’s record 20th title surge got them off to the perfect start with a sumptuous goal. Persie was a constant nuisance for the opposition defenders and opened space for fellow team-mates, taking away defenders on occasion. His swirling free-kicks too were a cause of worry for the Swans, but his goal-poaching abilities and his technical astuteness are a real asset.
Do you guys agree with the 11? Leave your comments below.
Substitutes:
Mignolet (GK)Coleman (DF)Paulinho (MF)Oscar (MF)Silva (MF)Aguero (ST)Benteke (ST)
