Game of the weekend Liverpool v Arsenal
Chelsea and Manchester United both produced great performances but the contest of the weekend was at Anfield where Liverpool and Arsenal fought tooth and nail for 90 minutes. The passion of the home side was matched by the flair of The Gunners as Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Steven Gerrard's opener to ensure both sides remain unbeaten. Player of the weekend Frank Lampard Lampard has received his fair share of criticism this season, but the Chelsea midfielder turned in an inspiring performance to help Chelsea to their comprehensive 6-0 demolition of Manchester City. Lampard was back to his all action best at Stamford Bridge and his pass with the outside of the boot to set up Didier Drogba's first goal was superb. Pass of the weekend Alexander Hleb Cesc Fabregas was the star of the show at Anfield as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Liverpool and it was fitting that the Spaniard grabbed his side's late equaliser. But Fabregas could not break down Liverpool's defence on his own and it took a delightful piece of play from Alexander Hleb to release him. Hleb delayed his pass cleverly and then slid a perfectly weighted ball through to his team-mate. Team of the weekend: 1) Brad Friedel 2) Aaron Hughes 3) Sol Campbell 4) Nemanja Vidic 5) Juliano Belletti 6) Alexander Hleb 7) Cesc Fabregas 8) Frank Lampard 9) Nani 10) Carlos Tevez 11) Wayne Rooney Handbags of the weekend Frank Lampard and Micah Richards Although Lampard turned in an influential display at the Bridge, his spat with England colleague and Manchester City defender Micah Richards cannot go unnoticed. The duo found their legs entangled around the Stamford Bridge half-way line, while the Premier League encounter was still at a competitive stage. With both players back on their feet the pair appeared to stage a pouting contest before Didier Drogba arrived to spare any further blushes. Miss of the weekend Nolberto Solano Take your pick. The West Ham midfielder served up two headed howlers in his side's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth, but it is his second 'effort' which just edges it. Having headed wide from five yards in the first half, Solano conspired to surpass himself in the second. The Peruvian loitered with intent as Carlton Cole span Sol Campbell and rattled the Pompey cross bar, but for unknown reasons Solano elected to dive with his bonce at the low rebound. With time and acres of space Solano managed to nod wide to leave himself, and the West Ham faithful, with nothing but a headache. Reading's Leroy Lita also deserves honourable mention for his open goal miss in the contest with Newcastle and the striker's effort was only beaten off top spot due to the frequency of Solano's inaccuracies. Goal of the weekend Carlos Tevez Premier League beware, Manchester United are beginning to hit form. After a stuttering start to the season, the goals are beginning to flow and the defending champions lived up to their title in the 4-1 demolition of Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. The icing on the cake was United's third which saw audacious free-flowing passing football finished by a Wayne Rooney back-heel to offer Carlos Tevez the simple task of slotting home. Save of the weekend Brad Friedel The Blackburn goalkeeper appeared to be playing almost as a sweeper at White Hart Lane as time and again he rushed off his line to deny Spurs in their first game since the departure of Martin Jol, but his best moment came when he produced an instinctive save to keep out Dimitar Berbatov's header from point-blank range. Tactic of the weekend Steve Coppell Coppell openly admits to being fed up with the constant talk of 'second season syndrome' as the Reading boss watches his team struggle this season and therefore it only seems fair to highlight his introduction of Shane Long. The forward scored Reading's winner in their 2-1 victory over Newcastle with his second touch of the ball after entering the fray only one minute earlier. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
