Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge made an impressive comeback from his long term injury problems, bagging a brace against Aston Villa on Saturday. Whilst Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney ended his longest ever Premier League barren spell, scoring United's second goal in a 3-0 win over stranded Sunderland.
Barclays Premier League Team of the Week (3,4,3): De Gea; van Dijk, Smalling, Vertonghen; Zaha, Ramires, Milner, Lamela; Sanchez, Sturridge, Rooney
David de Gea (Manchester United)
Of the weekend's Premier League goalkeepers, David de Gea was one of only two not to concede. Sunderland provided poor opposition, but he was still tested and, crucially, his presence gives United significant confidence.
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)
Not what he was bought for, but scored his first goal for the club to give Southampton an early lead in a fixture between two evenly-matched teams. Without that goal, Swansea, who lost 3-1, could easily have emerged victors.
Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
The leading defender in one of just two teams to secure a clean sheet throughout the course of the weekend.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Impressed both while defending and going forward, and against perhaps the Premier League's strongest attack, in Tottenham's 4-1 defeat of Manchester City.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Responded to criticism from manager Alan Pardew and being dropped to the bench to come on and change the game, winning the penalty for Palace's goal in the 1-0 win at Watford.
Ramires (Chelsea)
As a 73rd-minute substitute, inspired Chelsea's recovery from two goals down at Newcastle by scoring their first, contributing to their second, and almost scoring a late winning goal.
Erik Lamela (Tottenham)
Impressed throughout, and scored Tottenham's fourth, in the 4-1 defeat of Manchester City. Gradually beginning to show his potential.
James Milner (Liverpool)
Scored Liverpool's opening goal and set up Daniel Sturridge for Liverpool's second to show he is settling at his new club.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Scored the hat-trick that inspired Arsenal to victory at Leicester, in doing so finally scoring for the first time this season.
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Highlighted his exceptional finishing ability with the two goals in a 3-2 defeat of Norwich that finally gave Liverpool cause for optimism.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Playing in the No 10 role, scored his 171st Premier League goal for United to go level with Denis Law as their joint-third highest league scorer.
Source: PA-WIRE
