There were goals aplenty in the Premier League this weekend as Manchester City smashed six past Tottenham, while Manchester United conceded late on in a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City and a thrilling Merseyside derby ended 3-3.
Arsenal maintained their position at the top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 victory over high-flying Southampton, while Chelsea were also victorious as two goals from Frank Lampard helped the Blues defeat West Ham by a 3-0 scoreline.

But it’s Saturday’s Merseyside derby classic where we start for Goal‘s Premier League Team of the Week, with Simon Mignolet (4) taking the No.1 jersey after helping Liverpool earn a point with a solid showing between the sticks.

In defence, Chico Flores (4) makes his second appearance in the Goal Team of the Week, with the Spaniard particularly impressive at the back in Swansea City’s 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Germany international Per Mertesacker (3.5) is also part of the back three, with the Arsenal defender solid defensively against Southampton, as well as proving a handful in the box after winning a penalty in the 2-0 win for the Gunners.

Mike son (3.5) also earns his first place in a Goal Team of the Week, with the Newcastle defender putting in an assured performance as Alan Pardrew’s side continued their impressive recent run by beating Norwich City on Saturday.

On the right wing, Jesus Navas (4) gets the nod, with the former Sevilla star opening the scoring after just 14 seconds during Manchester City’s rout over Spurs, adding the icing to the cake with a fine finish in the dying moments to round off the 6-0 victory.

In the centre of midfield, Scott Parker (4) and Steven N’Zonzi (4) line up together, with the latter on target in Stoke City’s 2-0 win over hapless Sunderland, while Parker was also on the scoresheet in the defeat to Swansea.

Eden Hazard (4) slots in on the left wing, with the Chelsea man earning his second appearance in our Team of the Week for an impressive display at Upton Park that saw him pick up two assists and generally cause the West Ham back four all manner of problems.

A three-pronged attack is spearheaded by Arsenal front man Olivier Giroud (4) – the France striker netted twice to see off Southampton, scoring his sixth and seventh goals of the 2013-14 Premier League campaign.

Either side of Giroud is Sergio Aguero (4.5), whose stunning season continues following a starring role in the demolition of Tottenham, while Shane Long’s (4) wonderfully taken double in the Midlands derby draw with Aston Villa sees him sneak in ahead of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Loic Remy.

The World Cup winner has lashed at the Uruguayan over his “theatrics”, while also admitting he hopes that Manchester United fail to win this season’s Premier League title

EXCLUSIVE
By Dennis Mabuka

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has accused Liverpool star Luis Suarez of diving, claiming that the forward “thinks the football pitch is a swimming pool”.

The Uruguay international has been embroiled in various simulation controversies during his time in England, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers defending his star man earlier in the year by insisting that his reputation is exaggerated because he is foreign.

The in-form attacker is the Premier League’s second-highest scorer this season with nine goals, although Desailly has admitted he is no fan of Suarez while praising former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer.

“I have a lot of respect for retired England striker Shearer,” Desailly told Goal. “He is the forward I dreaded meeting during my spell in the Premier League.

“Shearer was always ready for the occasion and would fight for anything and everything. He was never into theatrics like Suarez. Suarez always thinks the football pitch is a swimming pool.”

Desailly again referred to Suarez when discussing African participation at the World Cup, mentioning the former Ajax striker’s “antics” when he handled the ball on the line to prevent Ghana reaching the semi-final in South Africa in 2010.

“African teams need to perform better at World Cups,” the ex-AC Milan ace commented. “Cameroon were close to qualifying for the semi-finals some time back. Ghana as well, save for the Suarez antics again.”

Discussing the race for the Premier League title, Desailly expressed his hope that Manchester United fail in their attempts to retain their crown, suggesting that seven teams, including Arsenal, are in the running.

He said: “I don’t want Manchester United to win it this season. Arsenal have started well and it looks like they, alongside six other teams can last the distance. We will have a clearer picture in March.”

The former France international also backed Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure to retain the African Player of the Year award following yet another impressive year at Eastlands.

“Of course, there is a field of very talented players who have been nominated for the award, but definitely Yaya will take this crown,” the 45-year-old declared.

“He is not only one of my best players currently, but has also shown a lot of consistency throughout last season and this season and he deserves this award.”

The defender has not featured since October 5, and has now undergone surgery on his knee and will now spend the next 10 weeks on the sidelines in rehabilition

Liverpool have announced that defender Jose Enrique has undergone successful knee surgery and will be out for 10 weeks.

Enrique has been battling a problem with his right knee in recent weeks and was the subject of arthroscopic surgery to fix the issue.

The 27-year-old, who has not started a match for Liverpool since October 5, will now spend an extended stint on the sidelines.

According to the club’s official website, Liverpool expect the Spaniard to return to full training in approximately 10 weeks.

That means Enrique is likely to be missing until February, with Aly Cissokho and Jon Flanagan filling the left-back role in recent matches.

Liverpool have made a bright start to the Premier League season and sit second, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal.