Premier League Team of the Week: 4 March 2012

Welcome to the first installment of the Premier League Team of the Week, a segment that will recap the weekend’s top performers in the English Premier League.

This week’s top performers include Fulham hat-trick hero Pavel Pogrebnyak and Gunners captain fantastic Robin van Persie.

Van Persie’s screaming injury-time volley secured three vital points for Arsene Wenger’s side, who moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Premier League table, at Anfield on Saturday.

The Gunners’ triumph also derailed Liverpool’s unbeaten home record in the league this season. Two birds, one stone.

Fulham’s new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak has scored in each of his first three games with the Cottagers, including a sensational hat-trick versus Wolves on Sunday.

The Russian front-man netted a first-half brace before completing his hat-trick in the 61st minute, continuing his ridiculous form to start his EPL career.

In the midfield, USA international Clint Dempsey compounded Wolves’ misery by netting second-half brace.

Dempsey’s double took his tally to 12 league goals in 2011-12, making him the highest scoring midfielder in England’s top-tier.

For defending champions Manchester United, Ashley Young’s two second-half goals (60′, 69′) moved the Red Devils to within two points of bitter rivals Manchester City.

The former Villa man looks to have regained his early season form after his two clinical finishes found the back of the net at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Furthermore, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson shined in Swansea City’s 2-0 win over bottom of the table Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Sigurdsson’s two sublime strikes proved to be the only goals in the game, with the Iceland international rightfully named the man of the match at DW Stadium.

The last midfield man to feature in this week’s Premier League Team of the Week is Yaya Toure of Manchester City.

Toure was City’s boss on the pitch, leading the table toppers to an easy 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Just another day at the office for the Ivorian.

In defence, a bevy of Swansea City players, most notably Steven Caulker and Neil Taylor, impressed in the Swans 2-0 win at Wigan on Saturday, while West Brom center-back Gareth McAuley bagged the winner for Albion versus Chelsea.

Additionally, Rio Ferdinand turned back the years and put in a fine performance for the Red Devils at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Lastly, West Bromwich Albion’s Ben Foster, who kept a clean sheet versus Chelsea at The Hawthorns on Saturday, takes home the goalkeeper of the week honor.

Premier League Team of the Week: 4 March 2012

Goalkeeper: Ben Foster

Defenders: Steven Caulker, Rio Ferdinand, Gareth McAuley, Neil Taylor

Midfielders: Clint Dempsey, Yaya Toure, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ashley Young

Strikers: Robin van Persie, Pavel Pogrebnyak

Thanks for joining me, and be sure to tune in for next week’s edition of the Premier League Team of the Week. Cheers.