Skysports.com casts an eye over the weekend Premier League action and picks out the highlights and lowlights.
Team of the weekend
Game of the weekend
Chelsea 3 Arsenal 5
There have been strange scorelines in this season's Premier League and Saturday's London derby at Stamford Bridge produced a memorable eight-goal thriller. In a game that had just about everything Arsenal came out on top after twice coming from behind to record an impressive victory. Robin van Persie stole the show with his brilliant hat-trick, but both sides deserve praise for the open nature of the game even if both managers might have issues with their side's defending.
Player of the weekend
Robin van Persie
The Dutchman has been in scintillating form for Arsenal this season and he was at his inspirational best at Stamford Bridge. Van Persie took his tally to 28 goals in 27 Premier League games in 2011 as he proved his worth to the Arsenal cause once again. The Arsenal captain was at the top of his game with three clinical finishes to maintain Arsenal's recent resurgence and match the feat of former Arsenal player Kanu in becoming the second player to score a Premier League hat-trick at Stamford Bridge. Van Persie showed just why Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is so keen to tie down his talisman to a new long-term contract.
Goal of the weekend
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale scored two fine goals for Tottenham against Queens Park Rangers but his second was something extra special, as he curled an exquisite finish past the excellent Paddy Kenny to seal a 3-1 victory. While the Welshman's strike alone was sumptuous, the goal was made even better as it came after a flowing move full of slick one-touch passing. Stiliyan Petrov comes a close second following his spectacular long-range effort against Sunderland, while notable mentions must also be given to Steve Morison's clinical volley in the draw with Blackburn and Rovers' winger Junior Hoilett's superb run and shot in the same game at Carrow Road.
Controversy of the weekend
Norwich's penalty
Blackburn boss Steve Kean was left fuming after seeing his side robbed of a crucial three points by Norwich's last-gasp penalty in the 3-3 draw at Carrow Road. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded Norwich the controversial penalty in stoppage time for an apparent handball given against Steven N'Zonzi.
Grant Holt scored from the spot to rescue a point for Norwich to leave the under-fire Kean cursing his luck.
Save of the weekend
Wayne Hennessey
Wolves keeper Hennessey produced three superb saves in the first half to shut out free-scoring Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Arguably his best stop came in the closing stages as he denied Edin Dzeko with a brilliant reflex save as he somehow got a hand up to keep out the striker's goalbound shot after a well-worked move involving David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
Gaffe of the weekend
Wayne Hennessey
Sadly Hennessey's blunder in the defeat to Manchester City will overshadow all his good work in the game. The Wales international produced some great saves to keep City at bay in the first half, but he undid all his efforts with his mistake for City's crucial opener. Hennessey dwelled on the ball for too long allowing Sergio Aguero to close him down and make a block and unfortunately for Hennessey the ball fell to the grateful Edin Dzeko who slotted the ball into the empty net to finally break Wolves's firm resistance.
Miss of the weekend
Gervinho
Gervinho was guilty of squandering a glorious opportunity for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and luckily for him it did not come back to haunt him as Arsenal took the spoils in the London derby. Theo Walcott put the goal on a plate for Gervinho early on at Stamford Bridge with a fine cross from the right, but with the goal at his mercy he somehow failed to hit the target. Fortunately for Gervinho his blushes were spared as Robin van Persie showed him the way to goal with a devastating hat-trick.
