We cast an eye over the weekend's Premier League action and pick out the highlights.
Player of the Weekend
David Silva
The Manchester City playmaker was instrumental in the 2-0 win at Hull City. Silva opened the scoring on 13 minutes, just minutes after captain Vincent Kompany had been sent off, with a stunning 25-yard curler which arced inside the post. Silva then supplied a superb slide-rule pass to send Edin Dzeko clear for the clinching second goal in the final minute.
Performance of the Weekend
Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard both pointed to Liverpool's dominance from the first whistle to the last during the 3-0 win at Manchester United. Arguably, Liverpool weren't even at their best at Old Trafford, yet United struggled to cope with Rodgers' diamond formation and were unable to match their opponents' intensity. Gerrard converted two penalties, and Luis Suarez scored a late third, but Liverpool could easily have scored more in a comprehensive win.
Goal of the Weekend
Fabian Delph
A goal started and finished in sumptuous fashion by Delph as Aston Villa beat Chelsea 1-0 at home. Delph picked up possession in the middle of the pitch and ran unchallenged before feeding Marc Albrighton on the left of the box. Delph continued his run and, when Albrighton pulled the ball back, the former Leeds midfielder produced a magnificent flick to steer the ball inside the far post.
Save of the Weekend
David de Gea
On a miserable afternoon for Manchester United in the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, De Gea did at least prevent the scoreline being worse with a wonderful save. Luis Suarez had outfoxed Phil Jones to get a clean sight of goal, but his well-struck volley was met with a brilliant one-handed save by De Gea.
Clash of the Weekend
George Boyd v Joe Hart
Manchester City keeper Hart was unhappy when Hull City attacker Boyd went down in the box and the two squared up to each other in the aftermath. Hart leaned his head in towards Boyd, with television replays appearing to suggest that the Tigers' substitute spat in the direction of the keeper in response.
Screamer of the Weekend
Tomas Rosicky
Peter Odemwingie rocketed home a cracker in Stoke's win over West Ham United, but there was a marginally greater aesthetic appeal to Rosicky's stunner inside the opening two minutes for Arsenal against Spurs. The ball broke to Rosicky on the right side of the box and the Czech midfielder lashed a fantastic first-time shot which swerved beyond Hugo Lloris.
Controversy of the Weekend
Tim Krul
Quite a few contenders for this one, but it's just shaded by Newcastle's claims for a penalty in the dying moments of their 1-0 defeat at Fulham. Krul had been sent up for a corner and the ball fell to the Newcastle keeper on the edge of the box. Krul's shot was firm and struck the outstretched arm of his fellow Dutchman, John Heitinga, although the Fulham defender was only a yard or two away at the time.
Close call of the Weekend
Fulham
Fulham thought they had taken the lead early in the second half at home to Newcastle when Heitinga's deflected shot bounced down off the crossbar. However, goal-line technology came into play to prove that a smidgen of the ball was on the line. The ball then bounced back on to the bar and out to Cauley Woodrow to score, but the young Fulham striker was ruled offside.
Lucky escape of the Weekend
Rafael
The Manchester United right-back was fortunate not to be sent off after conceding a penalty for handball on 33 minutes. Rafael had been booked barely a minute earlier for a needless lunge on Gerrard when he handled the ball following a clever touch from Suarez. A second yellow card appeared likely, and the apparent explanation of referee Mark Clattenburg for allowing Rafael to stay on the pitch was perplexing.
