BEST XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper

Shay Given (Newcastle United)
Put on a fine goalkeeping clinic in his first outing in Manchester City colours. His relentless and instinctive shot-stopping thwarted numerous opposition advances, and he had the better of Afonso Alves on each and every one of his four chances. Fair play to you Seamus. Top marks for the fella.


Defence

William Gallas (Arsenal)
Arsenal had not lost in ten games going into the north London derby, and that was extended to 11 as Willy Gee and co helped shut out Tottenham's advances, made the more arduous of tasks with the first half dismissal of Emmanuel Eboue. Gallas was strong in the air, and contained Roman Pavlyuchenko with ease.

Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
I'm fast running out of unique superlative-heavy anecdotes to rhyme out on this rock of a man. So instead I'll lay a little fact out there. Vidic is the one mainstay of a defence that has changed nine times during the club's record-breaking 20+ hours without a goal concession. He was again on invincible form.

Curtis Davies (Aston Villa)
Gabriel Agbonlahor has hailed the Villans' defence by saying it's been as pivotal as the efficiency of the forward line. The rearguard was lacking the presence of Martin Laursen, but defensive leaders still popped up, young Curt being one of them.

Michael Turner (Hull City)
He's spent a lengthy spell away from the Team of the Week, but has made a good return to the squad for his part in the shutting out of Chelsea, on their home ground no less, in a result that was to see Luiz Felipe Scolari relieved of his managerial duties.


Midfield

Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool)
In a midfield that lacked both Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard, together with a forward line where Fernando Torres did not start, it would not have been absurd to bet against the Reds scoring thrice. That they did though, and Benayoun was one of the most creative in the Liverpool line-up. Had a hand in the decisive last-minute goal.

Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur)
Another debutant has done enough to impress and ensure his position in the Goal.com Best XI. This time Palacios, who strides out for his third club in the Premier League. It is ironic that he was originally brought to England under an Arsene Wenger recommendation, and is now playing for Spurs, yet is a player who could have proved a formidable partner for Cesc Fabregas. As it happens, he will cut an equally effective  understanding with Luka Modric.

James Milner (Aston Villa)
The tactics from set-play that Villa employ seem to come straight from the training ground. Milner opened the scoring by finishing from an acute angle following a corner kick. And he could have doubled his account during the second half after some good interplay with Ashley Young.


Attack

Craig Bellamy (Manchester City)
The Welshman scored for the second time in front of his new home crowd with a cool, calm, and collected finish. It proved to be the only goal of the game, so well done Craig.

Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
His deflected drive sealed the win for Villa, and ensured that Fabio Capello may have some serious thinking to do as to whom to field in the Spain game on Wednesday. Surely Gabby deserves the nod? That's ten now. The highest-ranked Englishman. And, as Villa fans will bellow out on every matchday: "Gabby, Gabby, Gabby Agbonlahor... he's fast as f***, he's fast as f**-**" [to the tune of Karma Chameleon, bizarrely enough].

Jo (Everton)
Who would have thought that the expensive Brazilian import from Russia who had flunked so spectacularly at Manchester City, could slot in at Everton and record a deuce? David Moyes, apparently. The Scot even admitted that he wanted to sign him last summer.




Honourable Mentions
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland)
Alexandre Song (Arsenal)
Scott Parker (West Ham United)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Peter Lovendkrands (Newcastle United)
Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspur)
Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Manuel Almunia (Arsenal)

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