Team of the Week

Heurelho Gomes was a definite contender this week despite giving away a penalty, but Mark Schwarzer pips him to the post after a phenomenal showing to secure a 1-1 draw for Fulham at Wigan. The pick of his saves came from a Charles N'Zogbia drive on 16 minutes that he just managed to tip onto the crossbar.

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Carrick believes United can edge out Chelsea in the title race

Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie admitted Arsenal were not at their best despite beating Wolves 4-1, but Bacary Sagna had a fine game. Although largely untroubled in defence, he helped provide an attacking outlet as Wolves had the better of the early stages and continued to press forwards as the game turned in Arsenal's favour.

While former Villa defenders Gary Cahill and Zat Knight were embarrassed at the other end, Richard Dunne continued to impress in the claret and blue as Villa ran out 5-1 winners over Bolton. Dunne had a woeful final season at Manchester City but, since moving on, he has returned to his dominant best.

There were plenty of good defensive performances on both sides as Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, but Ricardo Carvalho's was perhaps the most important. John Terry got the goal - or so it seems - but Carvalho produced a series of superb blocks to keep United at bay as they threatened in and around the area.

Patrice Evra was another man to emerge from Stamford Bridge with credit as he combined a solid defensive showing with constant runs forwards, and he was unfortunate that none of his attacking work resulted in a breakthrough for United.

Left winger Matthew Etherington remains in the team despite Stoke's 2-1 defeat at Hull. His runs down the flank are direct and dangerous, and he took advantage of some dreadful defending to open the scoring at the KC Stadium with a superb finish. He could have had a hand in a second goal, too, as his ball into the box saw Anthony Gardner come mightily close to turning the ball into his own net.

Jimmy Bullard made his first home appearance for Hull and made a clear difference as they claimed a much-needed victory. He looked confident in possession and was always looking for the ball and, with the scores tied going into injury time, it was his swerving effort that caused Thomas Sorensen to spill the ball into Jan Venegoor of Hesselink's path for the winner.

The oldest player to make his Premier League debut, Burnley's 38-year-old converted midfielder Graham Alexander seems to be having the time of his life now he's finally made it to the English top-flight. Having made Phil Brown's position look very wobbly indeed last week as he scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Hull, he continued his superb record from the penalty spot in the 3-3 draw at Manchester City on Saturday, getting the opening goal as part of a fine all-round performance.

Sunderland will feel hard by after losing a game they dominated 2-0 at White Hart Lane on Saturday, but former Spurs midfielder Andy Reid's lower lip may be protruding a little further than most. Darren Bent won and then missed a penalty, of course, but Reid was superb in providing the creativity and came extremely close to scoring one of the goals of his career when he chested the ball down and struck a dipping drive from 35 yards onto the post.

John Carew now appears to be back to full fitness and showed Emile Heskey how to impress the casual observer in the big man role. In a 5-1 win over Bolton, Carew was responsible for three assists and a goal of his own that boasted Westworld-esque levels of determination.

Along with Benni McCarthy, Jason Roberts came off the bench at half-time with Blackburn a goal down at home to Portsmouth. Roberts made an instant impact, levelling up in the 53rd minute and, after Ryan Nelsen had put them 2-1 up, adding a third four minutes from time. Roberts and McCarthy tore Pompey to shreds after their introduction.

Sam Allardyce was happy to give himself a pat on the back after he turned the 1-0 deficit against Portsmouth into a 3-1 win after bringing on Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy in place of El Hadji Diouf and Morten Gamst Pederson at half-time. A harsher way of looking at it is that he probably shouldn't have played Franco Di Santo as a lone striker two weeks running in the first place, but the changes were bold and came off, so credit where it's due.