John Terry (Chelsea, CB): 90 mins played, three league points, clean sheet.
Whether Terry or Nicolas Anelka got the final touch, the Chelsea captain’s header guaranteed the three points for his team, and another clean sheet. Chelsea have not conceded a goal at home since the first match of the season, and are title favourites – which makes Terry a valuable contributor whether he scores goals or not.
John Carew (Aston Villa, FOR): 90 mins played, three league points, goal, assist
Emile Heskey may want more playing time at Villa Park, but while Carew is in such incredible form, the England striker will have to settle for the bench. Gary Cahill will be seeing Carew in his nightmares for months to come.
James Milner (Aston Villa, RM, CM, LM). 82 mins played, three league points, goal, two assists.
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Milner can score goals and cross with either foot and should continue to be a valuable source of goals assists and points. He just can’t take penalties very well, but neither can anyone else at Villa Park. And after his feeble kick had been parried by Jussi Jaaskaleinen, the Bolton goalkeeper, and Steve Sidwell had put the rebound against the post, he scored anyway.
Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers, FOR): 45 minutes played, three league points, two goals.
If Roberts could play against Portsmouth, his former club, every week, he might be the most valuable forward in PlayTheGame. On Saturday he scored twice after taking the field as a second-half substitute, turning Frederic Piquionne to flick home Ryan Nelsen’s header then sliding in Benni McCarthy’s low cross from the left.
Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur, GK): 90 mins played, three league points, clean sheet.
Gomes looked to be on his way out of White Hart Lane when Harry Redknapp took over and brought in Carlo Cudicini as a possible replacement. But the Brazilian’s ability to pull off game-winning saves – such as the one from Darren Bent’s penalty on Saturday – and his response to extra training with Tony Parks, the goalkeeping coach, have won Redknapp over. Spurs are having a good season, and Gomes is helping to win plenty of league points.