It's a warm welcome to West Ham's Robert Green who is currently striding through the revolving doors marked TOTW for the first time this season. He battled hard for his clean sheet at the Madjeski and while the 0-3 score line might look emphatic it belies the fact that Reading had just as many chances as the Hammers, if not more. Green made a string of saves and could be involved in the England shake-up again if he maintains this form.
David Wheater was assured at the heart of Boro's backline, albeit against the admittedly listless Birmingham attack, but his first goal for the club has been a long time coming. A no-nonsense product of the impressive academy set-up, he's forged a good partnership with Jonathan Woodgate at the back and Southgate, a pretty tidy stopper in his day, clearly rates the 20-year-old highly.
There are dream debuts, and then there are wildest dream debuts. Zat Knight's bow for the club he supported as a boy nestles snugly into the latter category without a doubt. Imperious at the back against the formidable presence of Didier Drogba, he then skipped up field to nod home a corner and put his side into a lead they never really looked like relinquishing. Just be careful how you celebrate post-match Zat eh?
Joleon Lescott grabbed his second of the season (that's two more than Andy Johnson you know) right at the death to claim all three points at the Reebok. One of the finds of last season, Lescott has carried his excellent form into this campaign - and popped up with two valuable headed goals already.
Matthew Etherington's clinical finishing ensured West Ham erased the painful memory of their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Reading last season. Smashing in a high drive to give his side a 2-0 cushion just after half-time, then hammering home an angled finish when one-on-one in the dying seconds made sure the Hammers got full reward for their crisp, counter-attacking set-up.
Ashley Young proved a constant thorn in Chelsea's side as Villa utilised his pace time and time again as a vital outlet to ease the almost constant pressure from the Blues. His trickery did for the ageing Juliano Belletti, and a wonderful run and shot-cum-cross into the path of Gabriel Agbonlahor confirmed Villa their well-earned three points.
Cesc Fabregas again showed composure and experience way beyond his tender years as the heartbeat of Arsenal's midfield, grabbing himself a goal in the process. He may not be everyone's cup of tea but there's no doubting he could become a Gunners legend if he continues to display all the attributes of the complete midfielder, like he did against Pompey.
Xabi Alonso anchored Liverpool's midfield in the absence of Steven Gerrard and oversaw the mauling of Derby with a shrewd performance. Spraying passes left and right, and given license to push on by the tiger-ish Mascherano at his side, the Spaniard grabbed two goals and generally made the game look very, very easy. Sorry Derby fans.
Loathe him or really loathe him (surely West Ham fans, even you only like him because you have to?) you can't deny that Craig Bellamy is a bit swift. Just ask Michael Duberry, Ivar Ingimarsson, or any of Reading's back four in fact. His searing pace and expert finish opened West Ham's account and his rapidity regularly created space for his erstwhile team mates.
Fernando Torres grabbed his first goals in front of the Kop, and must be reminded regularly by his team-mates this week that defences won't come as accommodating as Derby every Saturday, or he'll begin to think this Premier League lark is a piece of cake. Should he maintain the same predatory finishing that compounded the Rams' misery however, he may well make that magical 20-goal mark the Reds so badly want from their number nine.
And finally, Michael Owen gave Newcastle fans something they haven't seen in six months - a league goal at St James' Park. Looking lively throughout and a bit wasteful as ever, Owen hung in there and eventually got his goal when he nipped in front of Titus Bramble with just three minutes of the game remaining. Now, if he can just repeat the feat on International duty a whole nation, and not just the Geordie faithful, will be delighted.
As for this week's top boss, look no further than Mr Excitable himself - Martin O'Neill. His Aston Villa team may have surrendered plenty of possession to Chelsea but with Martin Laursen and Zat Knight throwing themselves in front of everything at the back, and the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young causing Chelsea's rearguard all sorts of bother, he became the first to claim all three points from Jose Mourinho this season.
