Garth Crooks's team of the week

By Garth CrooksFootball Analyst
Garth Crooks's team of the week

The Premier League was as exciting as ever this weekend, with Chelsea retaining top spot thanks to an impressive display at Arsenal, while Tottenham rewrote the history books as they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in 23 years.

Manchester City looked more like their title-winning selves at Craven Cottage. Not to be outdone, Liverpool went on the rampage at Norwich. See which players made my team of the week and whether you agree with my choices.

GOALKEEPER - PETR CECH, CHELSEA

Petr Cech

Still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. His save from Lukas Podolski in the win over Arsenal was superb; his stop to deny Olivier Giroud was even better. Chelsea collected three massive points at Arsenal and are looking more and more like Premier League title contenders because of their goalkeeper's return to form.

Did you know? Cech has kept 132 clean sheets in the Premier League and has the best clean sheets per game record of any of the 11 players to keep 100+ clean sheets in the competition.

LEFT-BACK - JAN VERTONGHEN, TOTTENHAM

Jan Vertonghen

The Belgian defender was bought as a centre-half but played at left-back at Old Trafford and looked sensational. I can't remember when I last saw a defender beat three players before steering the ball past the keeper. It's always useful to have a centre-back who can play well in other positions. At a reported £10m, he looks great value for money.

Did you know? Vertonghen made more passes than any other player in the Dutch top flight last season - 2,419 - while maintaining a 90% success rate.

CENTRE-BACK - JOHN TERRY, CHELSEA

John Terry

Considering the week he'd had you would think he might want a lie down! Not only does he lead his team to victory at Arsenal but provides a personal performance of the highest order at the heart of the Chelsea defence. The more controversy surrounding the Blues captain, the better he seems to play. Most worrying!

Did you know? Since 2000-01, Chelsea have won 64% of their games with Terry playing and just 47% of those when he has been absent.

CENTRE-BACK - JAMES COLLINS, WEST HAM

James Collins

They say it's often better second time around and it certainly looks that way for James Collins in his second spell for West Ham. He was solid as a rock against QPR. The committed defender had to cope with the departure of Winston Reid and Joey O'Brien but reorganised his defence and restricted QPR to long-range efforts.

Did you know? Recorded his 50th win in his 151st Premier League appearance.

RIGHT-BACK - SEAMUS COLEMAN, EVERTON

Seamus Coleman

For much of the game against Southampton he played like a right-winger and his cross for Nikica Jelavic's second goal was just one example of that. He is one of a number of players who have been gently nurtured by manager David Moyes.

Did you know? Provided one goal and created three other chances against Southampton, his most creative-ever performance in the Premier League.

MIDFIELD - GARETH BALE, TOTTENHAM

Gareth Bale

We all know that Gareth Bale has a sweet left foot but I can't remember seeing the Spurs winger hit a better right-foot strike than his one against Manchester United. It flew across Anders Lindegaard. The Welsh wizard then went on to play his part in setting up Clint Dempsey's winning goal in an historic Spurs victory, their first at Old Trafford since 1989.

Did you know? Since his debut, Tottenham are actually more successful in the Premier League when Bale is absent, winning 51% of games when he is missing and 39% when he plays.

MIDFIELD - MAROUANE FELLAINI, EVERTON

Marouane Fellaini

This was one of the best Everton performances under David Moyes and the manager needs look no further than the Belgian brigade (Kevin Mirallas and Fellaini) for that. Fellaini, with an afro to die for, was the outstanding player in a great first-half team performance. It was a display that deserved a goal but I'm sure he won't mind too much so long as the team is winning.

Did you know? Fellaini has been involved in more fouls than any other player in the league this season, winning 10 but conceding 20.

MIDFIELD - JUAN MATA, CHELSEA

Juan Mata

The critics suggest that Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar are all a bit the same. How observant! Do they mean small, dynamic and supremely skilful on the ball? A bit like Colin Harvey, Alan Ball and Howard Kendall. They won the championship for Everton in 1970 and it looks like this Chelsea trio might do the same for their club. Mata was the pick of the crop against Arsenal.

Did you know? Mata has created 113 goalscoring chances since making his debut for Chelsea in the Premier League last season. Only Manchester City's David Silva (115) has created more in the same period.

FORWARD - STEVEN FLETCHER, SUNDERLAND

Steven Fletcher

The sort of form Steven Fletcher is in you'd think that Scottish manager Craig Levein would get over himself and earn his money by managing the situation and putting right the spat with the out-of-favour international. Scottish football simply cannot afford to lose such ability over a silly little argument. Meanwhile, the Sunderland striker is looking like he's worth every penny of his £12m transfer fee.

Did you know? Steven Fletcher is only the second player in Premier League history to score his side's opening five goals of a league season (Alan Shearer in 2003-04 for Newcastle being the other).

FORWARD - LUIS SUAREZ, LIVERPOOL

Luis Suarez

When a striker does not lose belief in himself and his team-mates do not lose faith in their star striker, it's only a matter of time before that player comes good. Luis Suarez looked unplayable at times against Norwich. The Uruguayan could have had five goals, two penalties and numerous assists. Instead he had to settle for a hat-trick. Not bad for an afternoon's work.

Did you know? Suarez scored the 250th hat-trick in Premier League history and is only the second player to score two hat-tricks away from home on the same ground after Wayne Rooney at the Reebok Stadium.

FORWARD - PETER CROUCH, STOKE CITY

Peter Crouch

The Stoke striker worked incredibly had last week against Chelsea without any reward. Swansea, however, paid the price for leaving him unmarked in the box on not just one occasion but two. Well, what did they expect? The England centre-forward took both gifts gracefully. Still the best orthodox English centre-forward in the country.

Did you know? Crouch has contested more aerial duels (113) than any other player so far this season.