Ozil, Di Maria, Mangala and Vardy star in team of the week
Arsenal and Man City provide the spine of the team with help from West Brom and West Ham
Jose Mourinho described the Premier League as "crazy" this week and after the latest round of games it's easy to see why. Manchester United threw away a two-goal lead and shipped five against newly-promoted Leicester, Frank Lampard scored against Chelsea for Man City, Liverpool lost for the third time in four games, Alan Pardew kept his job and Arsenal were the only one of last season's top seven to actually win.
Unbeaten Chelsea now sit top of the table with 13 points from five games. They are three points clear of Southampton and Aston Villa, with Arsenal tied with Swansea on nine points.
Liverpool, Man United and Everton all find themselves in the bottom half of the table, while defending champions Man City are already five points behind the pace-setters.
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So, which players did most to light up a spectacular weekend? Here's our pick of the experts' picks.
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)There is little consensus among the pundits this week, with dozens of players featuring in the various teams of the week. There are at least four different keepers in contention for the number one jersey, but in the end, Arsenal stopper Szczesny gets the nod after keeping a clean sheet against Aston Villa. The Pole has his foibles but also "the extraordinary ability to get himself and his team out of trouble", says Garth Crooks of the BBC. "His stop from Ciaran Clark was a defining moment."
Defence: Winston Reid (West Ham), Eliaquim Mangala (Man City), Joleon Lescott (West Brom)It makes sense to have three at the back as these were the only defenders to win over more than a couple of experts on a week when more than 15 defenders were mentioned in dispatches. New Zealander Reid is still recovering from injury but kept Mario Balotelli the Liverpool attack quiet at Upton Park. "[He] scored his first West Ham goal in a year in the opening 90 seconds of Saturday's game... but it was his defensive efforts that really made the difference as the Hammers held on to secure a 3-1 win," says Bleacher Report.
Man City skipper Vincent Kompany may have finally found a worthy partner in the form of Mangala who had a fine debut against Chelsea. The pair dealt with Diego Costa comfortably, says Goal.com, as Mangala showed off his "lightning-fast pace" and completed 91 per cent of his passes. Former City defender Lescott had a good afternoon with his new club, West Brom. He was "impeccable", says Goal.com "and brought much-needed experience in the heart of the Baggies defence".
Midfield: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), James Morrison (West Brom), Angel di Maria (Man United), Stewart Downing (West Ham), James Milner (Man City)After enduring plenty of criticism from Arsenal fans, Ozil showed his true worth with a "dazzling display" against Aston Villa. He scored one and set up another on Saturday as the Gunners won 3-0. "Think again, critics," says ESPN. "Playing in his more favoured central role, Ozil was terrific in the win at Villa." West Brom midfielder Morrison was the team's best player against Spurs even before he scored the winner, says Bleacher Report. "His goal was a bonus, but it was fitting reward for a great individual effort."
The wheels fell off for Man United this week, but Di Maria still emerged in credit after scoring with a delightful lob. "The Argentina international was irrepressible during United's better spells," says ESPN. West Ham man Downing seems "revitalised" this season, says Sports Mole, and was key to the Hammers' win over Liverpool. "He won the battle with Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and also set up his side's third goal."
Milner had a fine game for Man City, even if Frank Lampard stole the headlines. His performance was "a statement" says Bleacher Report. "Milner made a strong impression all afternoon... even having his name chanted by the home crowd when Mangala was announced as the man of the match," says The Times.
Attack: Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Papiss Cisse (Newcastle)The former non-league player, who arrived at Leicester from Fleetwood Town had a fairytale afternoon as he "tore Manchester United to shreds with his pace and scored the goal that gave his side the lead", says Crooks of the BBC. Newcastle looked done for at 2-0 down against Hull until Cisse came off the bench and "sensationally salvaged a point for the Magpies with a quickfire brace to save Pardew’s blushes as well as his job", says Winner Sports.
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