Matchweek 4 of the Premier League saw a number of notable performances but none better than the following Starting XI.
Goalkeeper: Jussi Jääskeläinen (West Ham United)
Jussi Jääskeläinen was at it again on Saturday, sprawling his way to five saves and a third clean sheet of the season. The Flying Fin had a number of fine parries during the match but none better than his 13th minute point-blank save on Italian international Pablo Osvaldo.
Defender: Robert Huth (Stoke City)
Robert Huth led the Stoke City backline that held Manchester City goal-less at the Britannia, handing the Potters their second straight clean sheet. The tough-as-nails German overcame getting knocked out cold by the leaping effort of Alvaro Negredo to rip into a team high five tackles and dominate the airways, winning seven of eight aerial duels.
Defender: Curtis Davies (Hull City)
Curtis Davies has been a revelation in Hull City’s opening four matches and this week the center-back finally gets recognized for his standout performances after nodding home the Tigers only goal of the game. The 28 year old was equally sharp on the defensive side of the ball, streaking his way to 10 clearances and three interceptions.
Defender: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Holding the high-powered Chelsea offense at bay is a massive achievement and for that, Everton captain Phil Jagielka gets the nod. The England international led the Toffees back four with a game-high 12 clearances.
Midfielder: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham Hotspur)
With all of Spurs new signings, Gylfi Sigurdsson risked finding himself the odd man out this season at White Hart Lane. But handed a chance to prove himself against Norwich City and the Iceland international made the most of it, scoring a fantastic opener before completing his brace from close range. It’s performances like that which will give manager Andre Villas-Boas headaches when filling out the team sheet going forward.
Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Speaking of doubles, Aaron Ramsey’s two goal effort in Arsenal’s victory over Sunderland brought to light just how brilliant the Wales international has been this season. The brace was his second of the season, after notching an impressive double against Fenerbahce in the second leg of Champions League qualifying.
Midfielder: Gareth Barry (Everton)
What can you say about Gareth Barry? After being left for dead by Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City, Barry was scooped up by Everton on a season long loan and in his debut for the Merseyside club the 32 year old was totally dominant. Time after time Barry thwarted the Chelsea attack, most notably when his sliding block on Samuel Eto’o denied the striker a sure-fire goal.
Midfielder: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle)
Arguably the most in-form winger in the Premier League, Hatem Ben Arfa (pictured) enjoyed yet another sensational day for the Magpies. With his combination of blinding quickness and slippery skills, the Frenchman torched the Aston Villa defense, scoring the opener and creating the game-winner with a hard hit shot that Brad Guzan could only parry into the path of Yoan Gouffran.
Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The German international showed no need for a Premier League adjustment period as he played his way to a fine debut for the Gunners. His assist on Olivier Giroud had Arsenal supporters cooing and when it emerged that he played the entire match with the flu, he became an instant cult hero.
Striker: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Coming back from the head gash that prevented him from appearing in the 1-0 loss to Liverpool, Wayne Rooney was fantastic once again. Rooney was all over the place against Palace, creating four chances on eight crosses, pounding five shots on goal and scoring a peach of a free kick. David Moyes has pledged to play Rooney as the supporting striker directly inside Robin van Persie and with with the destructive Marouane Fellaini freeing the England international up, his manager’s target of 30 goals is well within sight.
Striker: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Olivier Giroud made it four goals in four matches for Arsenal when he latched on to Ozil’s low cross to deftly sweep home the Gunners opener. Up top, the Frenchman is a force to be reckoned with not only for his eye for goal but for his competitiveness which on Saturday resulted in winning a match high 12 duels.