It was another exciting week in the Barclays Premier League with plenty of twists and turns.
Manchester City, who looked so good last Monday against Newcastle, lost at new-boys Cardiff City. An undermanned Arsenal side bounced back from last week’s devastation to defeat Fulham. And two teams that everyone thought would impress, Manchester United and Chelsea, did anything but that in yesterday’s nil-nil draw.
At the end of it all, Chelsea remains atop the standings with seven points with Liverpool and Spurs both hot on the Blues’ tail at six points each and a game in hand.
Here is the Team of the Week for Week 2 of the Premier League.
Goalkeeper – Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion)
Ben Foster was sublime during Saturday’s goalless draw at Everton. The West Brom net-minder recorded eight saves in the effort, including a face-busting parry on Marouane Fellaini from two yards out. The Baggies could struggle going forward, however, as Foster suffered a foot injury in the 78th minute that will keep him sidelined for the next 12 weeks.
Defender – Kolo Toure (Liverpool)
Manchester City must be reeling at having let Kolo Toure go in the off-season. In his two matches at Liverpool Toure has looked every bit a lock down defender, boasting two clean sheets. Last weekend he put the clamps on Villa striker Christian Benteke, who entered the match with three goals in two league contests.
Defender – Jose Fonte (Southampton)
After securing his side a clean sheet in Week 1’s victory over Sunderland, Jose Fonte was at it again last Saturday, securing a draw for the Saints with an 88th minute header.
Defender – John Terry (Chelsea)
After an injury riddled 2012-13 campaign John Terry has come out of the gates this season looking young and sprightly. Against Manchester United he was the highlight player for Chelsea in an otherwise drab match, recording 11 interceptions and winning 5 aerial duels to preserve a point for the Blues.
Midfielder – Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur)
After 9 loan spells in his first four seasons at Tottenham, Andros Townsend looked like a man marked for departure. But Townsend earned a start in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Swansea City and made the most of it, terrorizing the right wing and drawing the penalty that resulted in Spurs’ game-winning goal. The display impressed many, including England manager Roy Hodgson, who called Townsend into the senior squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Moldova and the Ukraine.
Midfielder – Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
From the looks of it, Aaron Ramsey has finally arrived for Arsenal. The midfielder has been fantastic in both of Arsenal’s Premier League matches as well as their Champions League triumph over Fenerbahce. Against Fulham, Ramsey was the best player on the field, orchestrating the Gunners to the 3-1 victory.
Midfielder – Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City)
Aron Gunnarsson was a hellion in the Cardiff City midfield on Sunday. With his box-to-box movement and defensive hunt, Gunnarsson frustrated the City attack while coming up with his biggest achievement to date, netting the Bluebirds first Premier League goal.
Midfielder – Sone Aluko (Hull City)
Sone Aluko was key to Hull City’s 1-0 victory over Norwich City on Saturday, chasing down defenders and providing a creative spark for the Tigers going forward. After Yannick Sagbo was sent off, Aluko continued to give the Canary defense headaches, helping to secure his side’s first Premier League victory.
Forward – Frazier Campbell (Cardiff City)
Frazier Campbell was sensational in Cardiff City’s 3-2 triumph over Manchester City. The former Manchester United striker scored twice in the second half and embarrassed world-class defender Pablo Zabaleta while doing so. As to the $930,000 (£600k) transfer fee that Cardiff paid Sunderland for Campbell last January? Yeah, that’s looking like a pretty savvy investment.
Forward – Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
For the second consecutive week Daniel Sturridge made Liverpool fans forget about Luis Suarez as the Englishman bagged the winner in a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. Sturridge’s goal was one of pure class, dragging the ball across Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Antonio Luna before cleverly toe-poking into the roof of the net.
Forward – Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
After being relegated to a substitute role against Aston Villa in Week 1, rumors began to circulate that the German forward may be on his way out of North London. But after his brace against Fulham suddenly those voices have quieted and everyone around Arsenal is keen on one thing – keeping Podolski happy. Funny how that works.
Honorable Mention – GK Allan McGregor; D James Chester (Hull City); D Billy Jones (West Bromwich Albion); D James Collison (West Ham United); Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur); M Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur); M Etienne Capoue (Tottenham Hotspur); M Charlie Adam (Stoke City); M Theo Walcott (Arsenal); M Santi Cazorla (Arsenal); F Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
