Team of the Week: Chelsea new boy steals the show, Manchester City stars continue to shine and Bournemouth attackers fire

Bournemouth’s hat-trick hero Callum Wilson stole the show this weekend, but there were a number of other impressive performers amongst the less-fancied Premier League sides – not least Stoke’s Jack Butland and Palace’s Scott Dann. All three make our team of the week, alongside some of the more usual candidates and Chelsea’s latest big-money addition.

Goalkeeper: Jack Butland (Stoke City)

Xherdan Shaqiri’s debut was the main point of interest before Stoke took on Norwich at Carrow Road, but all the attention was on Jack Butland by the time the final whistle went.

England’s hot prospect in the goalkeeping department was unfortunate with Norwich’s goal – scored by Russell Martin as the defender nutmegged him to make it 1-1 – but aside from that, Butland was brilliant.
Stoke’s new No1 made six crucial saves to ensure the Potters left Norwich with as much as a point.

Right-back: Kyle Naughton (Swansea City)

Swansea’s match at Sunderland was one of three 1-1 draws this weekend, so no clean-sheet for Naughton; however, he did chalk up an assist.

His insightful, perfectly timed through-ball to the most in-form striker in the Premier League, Bafetimbi Gomis, ended in the goal that gave the Swans the lead at the Stadium of Light.

Centre-back: Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)

A lot was made of Manchester United’s lack of attacking options following Saturday lunchtime’s 0-0 draw, as well as Wayne Rooney’s ever-increasing goal drought, but Newcastle United defended impeccably. None more so than captain Coloccini, who was solid throughout, winning headers and clearing countless crosses during the 90 minutes.

Tim Krul’s performance of eight saves is also worth mentioning, while the Magpies also looked dangerous on the counter, but it was the awesome Argentine Coloccini who rightly won the Man of the Match award.

Centre-back: Scott Dann (Crystal Palace)

It’s not often a centre-back notches a goal and an assist in the same match, but that is an accolade Scott Dann can boast after Saturday.

Crystal Palace ran out 2-1 winners over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park, with Dann initially giving the Eagles the lead with a thumping header from Jason Puncheon’s corner. Dann then dispossessed Jordan Amavi and teed up Bakary Sako for the winner with three minutes remaining.

Left-back: Aleksandar Kolarov (Manchester City)

For a long time it looked like Manchester City would not find a breakthrough at Goodison Park, but they did eventually score against Everton, and through an unlikely source.

A target for the boo boys, Raheem Sterling twisted John Stones inside and out before setting up the marauding Serbian Kolarov, who beat Tim Howard at his near post.

Kolarov also kept a clean-sheet in a solid all-round display.

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Right midfielder: Pedro (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s latest recruit made one hell of an impact on his debut in English football.

It took the man who signed for £21million on Thursday just 20 minutes to register his first goal in Chelsea colours (black on this occasion), as he linked up well with Eden Hazard before slotting in past Boaz Myhill to make it 1-0.

Pedro showed he can create goals as well as he can score them when his wayward shot found Diego Costa to double Chelsea’s lead on the half-hour mark.

Central midfielder: James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion)

Initially it seemed James Morrison was going to be in for a forgettable afternoon, but despite the result not going West Brom’s way, his personal performance will provide him with some comfort.

Morrison had an early penalty saved and – as Chelsea raced into a 2-0 lead soon after – it looked like the West Brom midfielder had ruined any chance of his side taking any points from the champions.

They did still end on the losing side, but two goals from Morrison at least gave the Blues a fright for large periods. A powerful effort and an intelligent header either side of Chelsea’s third goal kept West Brom’s hopes alive for the remainder of the match.

Central Midfielder: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

A typical Yaya Toure display was on show on Sunday afternoon. The dynamic Ivorian dominated the midfield in the way only he can and he also chipped in with an assist to Samir Nasri’s goal in the closing stages to seal the 2-0 win for Manchester City.

Only a 30-yard piledriver was missing from a performance right out of Toure’s top drawer.

Left midfielder: Max Gradel (AFC Bournemouth)

While Callum Wilson had his name and face all over Sunday’s back pages, Max Gradel’s contribution ensured Bournemouth left Upton Park with all three points.

The Cherries had established and surrendered a two-goal lead before he provided the set up for Marc Pugh’s tidy finish that put Bournemouth back in the lead at 3-2.

Gradel then excellently made up the ground on Carl Jenkinson to beat him to the ball and was subsequently fouled in the box by the man on-loan from Arsenal, resulting in Jenkinson being shown his marching orders. Wilson tucked away the penalty for his third goal and Gradel’s second assist.

Striker: Callum Wilson (AFC Bournemouth)

There was no doubting who the hero of the weekend was, as Callum Wilson netted a hat-trick in AFC Bournemouth’s first ever win in England’s top flight.

His and Bournemouth’s first goal in the Premier League came after just 11 minutes when he turned in Simon Francis’ low cross.

Wilson latched on to an Aaron Cresswell error – a poor back pass – to make it two for him and the Cherries before half an hour had been played. And number three for the ex-Coventry man came from the penalty spot, completing the first hat-trick of his career.

Striker: Diego Costa (Chelsea)

Much criticised for concentrating more on harming the opposition than helping his team in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday, Diego Costa responded in perfect fashion seven days later.

The Brazilian-born Spain international turned in Pedro’s mis-hit cross to extend Chelsea’s lead to 2-0 with a typical poacher’s effort from inside the six-yard box.

Scorer then turned provider to restore Chelsea’s two-goal advantage after James Morrison had pulled one back for hosts West Brom. Cesc Fabregas’ lofted pass was controlled by Costa into the path of Cesar Azpilicueta for the full-back’s first Premier League goal.

Who would be in your team of the week?

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