Ali Al Habsi (Wigan): Reading’s Adam Federici and Wigan’s Al Habsi were both unfortunate to end on the losing team at the weekend, and it is the latter who gets the nod for us in goal after making great saves to deny Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott before being sent the wrong way by Mikel Arteta’s penalty.
Carlos Cuellar (Sunderland): Sunderland have not had much to cheer about this season and might not have fancied their chances against a Southampton side that had won two of their last three at St Mary’s. Martin O’Neill’s side claimed a valuable three points, though, and at the heart of their superb defensive display was Cuellar, who was rock solid in the air and made 14 clearances as well as a number of crucial interceptions.
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke): Stoke have now kept clean sheets in half of their 18 Premier League games this season, and it was easy to see why at Tottenham on Saturday. Shawcross, their captain, once again led by example, throwing himself in the way of three goal-bound shots to leave Asmir Begovic surprisingly untroubled.
Ashley Williams (Swansea): Williams has looked back to his best in recent weeks and was superb in helping Swansea to a point against Manchester United on Sunday. Chico was the busier of the Swans’ two centre-halves, but Williams incredibly got in the way of seven United shots and won everything in the air.
Geoff Cameron (Stoke): We could have picked either of Stoke’s other defenders on the day, Robert Huth and Andy Wilkinson, alongside Shawcross and Cameron, but the latter perhaps deserves special praise for the way in which he dealt with Gareth Bale. Spurs might have expected the Welshman to be their match-winner on his return from injury, but Cameron regularly stopped him in his tracks, making five tackles, before Bale switched to the opposite flank in search of more success.
Stewart Downing (Liverpool): Downing has struggled badly since his move to Anfield but produced the best performance of his Liverpool career to date in the 4-0 win over Fulham. He set up Steven Gerrard’s goal with a terrific pass, rifled in the Reds’ third himself and then went close to another with a rasping drive as his confidence clearly flooded back.
David Luiz (Chelsea): Chelsea fans have been calling for Luiz to be played in midfield from virtually the moment he signed for the club, and the Brazilian’s performance in the Blues’ 8-0 rout against Aston Villa showed why. He shielded the defence superbly, making six interceptions, but was also a threat going forward, albeit against a Villa side suffering a major off day. However, there was nothing anybody could have done to stop Luiz’s thunderous free-kick from finding the net.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): The statistics show Gerrard has been contributing plenty to the Liverpool cause this season, but Reds fans will tell you he has looked a shadow of the player he once was. Against Fulham, however, he dropped a hint that his best days may not be behind him with a performance he’d have been happy with in his pomp. His goal came from a trademark bursting run into the box which he has not produced enough in recent times.
Steven Pienaar (Everton): Pienaar set up Everton’s equaliser for Victor Anichebe at West Ham and then bundled in their winner himself to cap a Man-of-the-Match display. The South African led the Toffees’ charge after they fell behind, firing in five shots and winning numerous dangerous free-kicks with his trickery down the left flank.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea): We could have picked the entire Chelsea front six, so impressive were they against Villa, but Hazard was undoubtedly one of their star men. His goal was sheer quality.
Fernando Torres (Chelsea): Villa weren’t at the races, but they were full of confidence going into the game and could easily have put up more of a fight had Torres not opened the floodgates so early on. His headed goal was the sort he would not even have attempted a month ago, but his confidence has clearly returned after being reunited with Rafa Benitez.
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