Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars were in mercurial form on that November day with the sprightly winger recording the second best performance by an attacking midfielder this season, according to player performance analysts Opta Index. Overmars scored a hat-trick from six shots on target, in one of his few exhilarating performances for Arsenal this season.
The top display by an attacking midfield player though, was recorded on the opening day. Gustavo Poyet`s attacking flair was on show as the Blues destroyed Peter Reid`s newly promoted Sunderland. It is also the top performance by an outfield player this season.
The Uruguayan midfielder slammed home a superb second goal with a scissor kick volley, to round off an emphatic 4-0 victory and stake an early claim for goal of the season. Poyet scored twice from four efforts at goal, all of which were on target, proving that once again he is an important component in Chelsea`s challenge for honours.
Sheffield Wednesday have been on the wrong end of the third and fourth best performances this campaign. Gary Speed was superb against Wednesday, scoring a goal from one of his four attempts. He also hit 58 successful passes during the match, giving him a pass completion rate of 91% as the Toon ran out 8-0 winners.
The Owls were on the receiving end again when Trevor Sinclair won a penalty and set up the Hammers` last two goals, as they came from behind to win 4-3.
The fifth best performance also involved West Ham, but this time they were the team that suffered. Ryan Giggs showed some mesmeric form as Manchester United won 4-2 at Upton Park - the first team to secure three points there in the league this campaign. Giggs had a field day, firing in six shots in total and setting up Dwight Yorke`s second goal, while all seven of the Welshman`s dribbles and runs were successful.
Gustavo Poyet CHELSEA 4v0 Sunderland - 2,737 Opta Index points.
Marc Overmars ARSENAL 5v1 Middlesbrough - 2,640 Opta Index points
Gary Speed NEWCASTLE UNITED 8v0 Sheffield Wednesday - 2,364 Opta Index points
Trevor Sinclair WEST HAM 4v3 Sheffield Wednesday - 2,332 Opta Index points
Ryan Giggs West Ham 2v4 MANCHESTER UNITED - 2,311 Opta Index points
