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Best of the weekend

Sky Sports casts an eye over this weekend's Premier League action and picks out some of the key highlights

Image: Dani Osvaldo: Scored a stunning goal as Southampton pegged back Manchester City

We cast an eye over this weekend's Premier League action and pick out the highlights.

Game of the weekend

Stoke 3 Chelsea 2 Not many pundits were tipping this heavyweight bout to be a thriller - but the two teams went toe to toe, and it was Stoke who delivered the knockout blow. Andre Schurrle first opened the scoring, then made it 2-2 on 53 minutes after Peter Crouch and Stephen Ireland netted for the hosts. But it was Oussama Assaidi who hogged the headlines after climbing off the bench to curl home a stunning winning goal and give Jose Mourinho's men the Blues.

Goal of the weekend

Dani Osvaldo Osvaldo has struggled for goals since arriving on the south coast - but his stunning strike against Manchester City may finally kick-start his Saints career. Sergio Aguero had given City the lead with his 18th goal of a prolific season - but it was 1-1 just a few minutes before the interval. Osvaldo picked the ball up on the edge of the box and tricked his way past both Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta before curling an inch-perfect shot into the top corner past a diving Costel Pantilimon.

Player of the weekend

Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov finally delivered a display worthy of his reputation and was a constant thorn in the side of Aston Villa's defence as he inspired a much-needed win for Fulham. Steve Sidwell laid the foundations for the victory with his tenacious opening goal - but it was Berbatov who brought a touch of class to proceedings with the pass of the match and an ice-cool finish from the penalty spot. The Bulgarian striker sent Alex Kacaniklic scampering towards the Villa goal with an outrageous first-time pass with the outside of his right boot, and it created the second goal as Leandro Bacuna was adjudged to have bundled the Fulham winger over in the box by referee Mike Dean. Berbatov stood over the spot-kick, and calmly sent Brad Guzan the wrong way, stroking the ball into the bottom corner with nonchalant ease.

Performance of the weekend

Newcastle United Honourable mentions must also go to Stoke City, Crystal Palace and Fulham, but Newcastle get the nod after becoming the second visiting team of the week to win at Old Trafford. Manchester United had Robin van Persie back as they tried to bounce back from losing to Everton, but they created few chances against a Magpies side who got their tactics spot on. Defensively disciplined and strong in midfield, where the likes of Cheick Tiote and Vurnon Anita excelled, Newcastle also carried an attacking threat and sealed their fifth win in six games when Yohan Cabaye turned in Moussa Sissoko's cross.

Controversy of the weekend

Sandro handball Tottenham Hotspur had enough chances to beat Sunderland far more convincingly than 2-1, but were wasteful in front of goal and should have been made to pay when Sandro handled a Sebastian Larsson corner in the closing stages. The Brazilian had his arms outstretched and it was a bad miss by referee Lee Mason, but Black Cats boss Gus Poyet refreshingly refused to use the incident as an excuse for defeat.

Moment of the weekend

Everton equaliser Arsenal have been the most consistent side in the league so far this season but they were outplayed at times by Everton in Sunday's Emirates Stadium showdown. It would have been harsh on the Toffees to leave empty-handed but that is what looked like happening when Mesut Ozil gave the Gunners a late lead. However, Gerard Deulofeu slammed in a wonderful equaliser just minutes after being summoned from the substitutes' bench to enhance his burgeoning reputation and provide a fitting finish to another thrilling weekend of action which had seen more twists and turns at both ends of the table.

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