Skysports.com looks at the best and worst moments from the latest round of top-flight fixtures.
Team of the week
Game of the weekend
Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1
This was a typical Premier League encounter, end-to-end and played at a blistering tempo. The opening goal came when Villa youngster Marc Albrighton silenced White Hart Lane as he tapped in at the back post. But Rafael van der Vaart restored parity in first-half injury-time (more on the playmaker below). A terrific second half then ensued as both sides pushed for a winner, and Spurs were the team to triumph as their new Dutch hero popped up with an excellent finish in the 75th minute.
Player of the weekend
Rafael van der Vaart
What a deadline day signing the Dutchman is turning out to be. Acquired from Real Madrid by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp in the summer, Van der Vaart has already scored four goals for the club. Two of those strikes came on Saturday as the midfielder helped Spurs come from a goal down versus Aston Villa. His first effort came just before the half-time whistle as he nodded in at the back post. And his second, the match-winning goal, was fired in with 15 minutes left on the clock as his deft touch sold Richard Dunne and allowed the Holland international to spank in. On top of his brace, Van der Vaart looked extremely bright on and off the ball.
Performance of the weekend
Blackpool
And so the Seasiders' remarkable debut season in the top flight goes on. Against Liverpool, Ian Holloway's men recorded a result that will live long in the memory as they beat the Reds 2-1 at Anfield. The visitors, who have now recorded three away wins in the top flight, took the lead on 29 minutes when Charlie Adam tucked away from the penalty spot. And the visiting support found themselves in dreamland when Luke Varney doubled their advantage. Liverpool did pull a goal back but Blackpool held on for a stunning victory.
Goal of the weekend
Alex
Wigan's Jordi Gomez was set to win this award before Alex bettered the Spaniard's free-kick with an even more stunning effort. The Brazilian almost burst the net when he thundered in a rasping effort from range, that boasted swerve and power. Of Gomez, in a game of little inspiration at the DW Stadium, Wigan's Spaniard fired his side to a first home league victory of the season. The midfielder was presented with a chance to test Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Gomez trotted up, with a sideways run-up, and proceeded to hammer home a rasping free-kick that clipped the underside of the bar on its route to goal. Marvellous.
Pass of the weekend
Peter Odemwingie
A truly brilliant assist by September's Player of the Month. The West Brom forward, usually the one looking to get on the end of inviting crosses, turned provider as his side drew level against Bolton. Odemwingie picked up possession on the right flank before curling in a tantalising cross that begged to be headed in, and James Morrison duly obliged. Elsewhere, praise must go to Villa striker Emile Heskey for his fine assist as he battled before rolling across for Marc Albrighton.
Controversy of the weekend
Penalty appeals
With a fair few spot-kick claims rejected this weekend, it proved too hard to pick just the one as being 'the most controversial'. So, we shall run through the key calls. First, let us start at St Andrews, where Birmingham felt they should have been awarded a penalty as Stephen Carr went down under a Leighton Baines challenge. Even more controversial was perhaps an apparent handball by Seamus Coleman, which referee Phil Dowd rejected. At Upton Park, Fulham appeared to have a case for a penalty when Eddie Johnson went down under a challenge from Lars Jacobsen. Newcastle, meanwhile, were unlucky at Manchester City as Mike Williamson seemed to get something on the ball when sliding in on Carlos Tevez only to see a penalty awarded, while Shola Ameobi was surely fouled by Joleon Lescott late on, yet nothing doing.
Save of the weekend
Matt Gilks
Blackpool's historic result against Liverpool at Anfield was assured when Gilks pulled of a stunning save at the death. Sotirios Kyrgiakos was seeking his second of the game and to save Liverpool's blushes when he shot from inside the area in the latter stages, but Gilks was there to deny the powerful defender in some style from point-blank range. Elsewhere, Robert Green built on his fine display last weekend with another excellent performance for West Ham. And he capped the outing against Fulham with a wonderful stop to deny Dickson Etuhu. The Fulham midfielder blasted a header goalwards and must have thought he was set to score, only for Green to claw the effort away.
Miss of the weekend
Laurent Koscielny
Just how did he miss this? Arsenal were presented with the most golden of opportunities to take an early lead versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A corner was flicked on and fell to centre-back Koscielny just a couple of yards out from goal. But the defender somehow managed to nod over. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was left aghast.
Gaffe of the weekend
Roger Johnson
Certainly not the worst gaffe you will see all season, but a mistake nonetheless. Leon Osman took up a good position on the left for Everton and the forward fed an inviting ball into Birmingham's box. Blues goalkeeper Ben Foster dove to claim but miscommunication saw Johnson divert into his own net.
