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PL Team of the Week

Image: Santi Cazorla: Contributed another influential display for Arsenal, capped by a goal

Sky Sports casts an eye over the leading performers from the latest round of Premier League action.

Team of the week

Alex McCarthy - Reading
McCarthy, deputising for the injured Adam Federici, continued to shine between the sticks during Reading's 2-2 home draw with Swansea. The youngster denied Danny Graham and Wayne Routledge in the opening half before pulling off four top-class saves soon after the break, though his heroics were not enough to prevent the Royals throwing away a two-goal lead.
Aleksandar Kolarov - Manchester City
The Serbian defender was City's main man as they took apart Sunderland 3-0, contributing an influential display. Kolarov put his side on the front foot when he scored in just the fifth minute with a well-taken free-kick. That strike paved the way for an impressive 90 minutes from the defender, who also contributed an assist to James Milner's late goal.
Jose Fonte - Southampton
Fonte rescued the Saints from defeat at home to Fulham as his last-gasp goal sealed a 2-2 draw, as well as completing the defender's double. The Portuguese defender had initially made his mark on the match with a fourth-minute strike, when he had forced home Adam Lallana's early corner.
Steve Caulker - Tottenham
Caulker enjoyed a productive afternoon for Spurs as they downed Aston Villa 2-0, playing a key role as they kept a crucial clean sheet while also scoring his first goal for the North Londoners as he helped home Jermain Defoe's close-range shot, although how much he knew about it is open to debate.
Branislav Ivanovic - Chelsea
The defender once again showed his prowess in front of goal in the Blues' 4-1 victory over Norwich, adding a superb late volley to their haul. Before that tidy finish the Serbian had set up Fernando Torres for the opener with a pinpoint cross.
Juan Mata - Chelsea
Joining his Blues' team-mate Ivanovic in our line-up is in-form Mata, who excelled for the Londoners with another intelligent display. The Spaniard did not get on the scoresheet himself but was behind almost every attacking move as he tormented the Canaries defence.
Michael Carrick - Manchester United
Carrick barely put a foot wrong as United claimed a convincing 3-0 win at Newcastle. The Red Devils man kept his side's midfield ticking over nicely, keeping possession well and producing excellent distribution to help lay the groundwork for the visitors' success.
Santi Cazorla - Arsenal
Summer signing Cazorla continued to prove himself a valuable asset to Arsenal as he pulled the strings in midfield in the 3-1 victory at West Ham. He crowned a commanding display by adding the Gunners' third goal in the second half, curling home a wonderful strike from 25 yards using his supposedly weaker left foot.
James Morrison - West Brom
The Baggies continued their flying start to the campaign with a 3-2 home win over struggling QPR and Morrison's smartly-taken opener in the fifth minute set them on their way. The midfielder far from faded after that early strike, continuing to shine as he played a significant role in the success.
Wayne Rooney - Manchester United
Playing in a deeper position than he is used to, Rooney did not disappoint for United at St James' Park. The frontman contributed a tireless showing at the head of an impressive midfield diamond, revelling in his playmaker role while also playing a part in defence.
Olivier Giroud - Arsenal
Giroud decided he had waited long enough for his first Premier League goal for Arsenal and it was West Ham that were the unwelcome recipients of the debut strike, with the Frenchman slotting home a Lukas Podolski cross four minutes before the break to put the sheen on a lively display.

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