4). David Vaughan - Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers - The Welsh international will be the first to tell you his career in the North-East has not began how he would've hoped - after a hugely impressive debut Premier League season with Blackpool last time out. Vaughan had earlier in the season lost his first team spot to skipper Lee Cattermole and has since struggled to win it back. Sunday's smashing effort wouldn't of done him any harm though, as in-front of brand new boss Martin O'Neill - the former Real Sociedad Midfielder hit a fabulous 25 yard strike that had all the swerve and whip on it of an inch perfect strike, giving Blackburn stopper Paul Robinson no hope. There was 84 minutes on the clock at the time of Vaughan's game changing strike - equalising for Sunderland - as they went on to take the win in stoppage time, Vaughan's effort may well act as a season changer for The Black Cats - not a bad season changer in anyone's book.
3). Demba Ba - Norwich 4-2 Newcastle United - One suggests after the start to the season this man has enjoyed - it may well not be the last time we witness him on our list this term. This effort had it all, the vision and technique from French creature-in-chief Yohan Cabaye to perfectly pick out the Senegalese international's run - before a stunning first touch - killing the ball dead on his toe from an over the shoulder pass, led him to a delightful finish past the onrushing John Ruddy. Ba is causing a huge stir in the League, going on to net his 10th and 11th League goals on Saturday, he seems to hold everything in his locker for a fine Premier League forward. The pace, power and most prominently - especially Saturday - finishing ability when in one-on-one situations (his second goal weren't bad either!). Demba Ba will go a long way this season, you would have to be mad to take him out of the running for The Golden Boot at this stage!
2). Sebastian Larsson - Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers - Just like Vaughan's above - but even more dramatic! You're under the extensively-beady eyes of your new boss, having to proove your worth to the side all over again under the new manager - so, to pick out a trademark free-kick to give the boss a win in the last minute of his first game can't be a bad way to start - can it? Mauro Formica was penalised for handball into injury time at the Stadium of Light and Sebastian - who is no stranger to our 'Goals of the week' list stepped up rather confidently to the ball seemingly placed perfectly for his strike. If you're a Sunderland fan, now is the time to feel confident, along with earlier efforts for his new side - this Swede has proved at his time at St Andrews and The Emirates that there isn't too many in the business better in such positions. The confidence paid off, as he bent an effort, admittedly with contrast to his usual set-pieces cleverly in at the near post. With Robinson expecting a high, bending effort this did the job superbly and sparked crazy scenes on the sides with MO'N resuming his desperately missed touchline antics. Fantastic under-pressure, game winning effort.
1). Robin van Persie - Arsenal 1-0 Everton - Was there really any competition this week? The Emirates was packed full of a group of Gunners legend (and - erm... Lee Dixon) to celebrate Arsenal Football Club's 125th anniversary - and with the form he's on at the moment, it wasn't surprising that a certain Dutchmen gave geniuses of the past something to really get excited about. With Messes Henry, Pires and Wright to name but a few watching on from the sides, Van Persie broke the games deadlock with a breathtaking volley that well could hold its own in a 'Goal of the season' so far event. Impressive midfielder Alex Song drove forward before lobbing the most delightful of through ball straight into the Arsenal skipper's path - watching the ball all the way onto that magical left foot he hit a first time volley - using a bit of the outside of his foot to create curl - into Tim Howards's bottom corner, before he could even blink. The legends of the game would've instantly known they had witnessed a classic, will go down in Gunners' memory just as his effort against Charlton at The Valley did years earlier - an absolutely phenomenal effort by a phenomenal player - his 33rd goal of the calender year, only one now behind a certain Mr Va Va Voom in the crowd and only three behind the all-time Premier League record. Considering the hectic Christmas fixture period, here's to him knocking Alan Shearer off his perch.
This week's winner - Van Persie's memorable volley on Arsenal's
125th birthday, a man at the top of his powers.
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