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Cape Town - After the weekend's English Premiership action, Wade Pretorius chooses his EPL Team of the Week.
The EPL season began much like last season ended with wins for Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool with Manchester United stumbling at their first hurdle.
Spurs managed to end West Ham's dominance of their derby in a weekend dominated by the away teams.
Here is week one's Team of the Week:
1. Allan McGregor (Hull City)
McGregor's performance, including saving a Charlie Austin penalty, earned Hull City a vital 1-0 away victory. With points hard to come by in recent seasons, starting off the 2014/15 campaign with a win may prove to be crucial to Hull's EPL status come next May.
2. Eric Dier (Spurs)
Brought in by Mauricio Pochettino from Sporting Lisbon, I did not expect the youngster to provide such drama on his debut. He started off as a centre back but switched to right back following Kyle Naughton's dismissal. He may never score again in the EPL and this goal will remain a career highlight for Dier.
3. Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
A great performance from the French international against Newcastle earns Clichy a spot in the inaugural Team of the Week. If the statisticians are correct, then Clichy was the most potent ball carrier for City with four dribbles and three crosses from the flanks.
4. Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
An exceptional performance from Vlaar as his led Aston Villa to victory against Stoke City. The Dutchman never looked like getting beaten all day and was colossal in the air. Paul Lambert will do well to keep Vlaar at the club this season.
5. James Chester (Hull City)
Steve Bruce is not afraid to buy a Manchester United-bred player and in James Chester he found his match-winner on Saturday. Chester escaped Rio Ferdinand's marking to find the only goal in tightly contested match. Not afraid to get stuck in at the back, Chester will be hoping to continue this fine form as the season progresses.
6. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Another fine display by the Liverpool youngster which saw him net his side's first goal. At 19-years-old and capable of playing on either wing or behind the striker, Liverpool have a truly wonderful talent on their hands. Sterling will be key to Brendan Rodger's assault on the title this season.
7. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea)
I was surprised to see Spurs left Sigurdsson go during the summer but his performance at Old Trafford came as no surprise. He produced a brilliant display in the midfield where he was involved in keeping his side in the game before breaking United hearts with his strike in the 72nd minute.
8. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
A top performer in the league last year before he broke down with injury, Ramsey netted a crucial winner in time added on to help Arsenal to all three points against Crystal Palace. It wasn't a great display by the Gunners but Wenger will be relieved that his side fought right to the very end.
9. David Silva (Manchester City)
David Silva has not scored the amount of goals a player of his calibre should be but against Newcastle, the Spaniard looked to be back to his best. He was involved in most of City's attacks and looked up for the fight. City will go far in all competitions if Silva keeps producing the goods.
10. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
Dzeko had a great game against Newcastle and showed why he deserves a starting spot in the star-studded City team. Often overlooked by other coaches at City, Manuel Pellegrini has rewarded Dzeko with consistent game time and Dzeko is backing up the faith shown in him with some stellar performances.
11. Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
Two goals on opening day for Berahino means that the Baggies striker is the unlikely name in Team of Week. At just 21-years-old Berahino has a bright future ahead of him with coach Alan Irvine already keen to ward off potential suitors after gameweek 1 of the EPL.
The EPL season began much like last season ended with wins for Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool with Manchester United stumbling at their first hurdle.
Spurs managed to end West Ham's dominance of their derby in a weekend dominated by the away teams.
Here is week one's Team of the Week:
1. Allan McGregor (Hull City)
McGregor's performance, including saving a Charlie Austin penalty, earned Hull City a vital 1-0 away victory. With points hard to come by in recent seasons, starting off the 2014/15 campaign with a win may prove to be crucial to Hull's EPL status come next May.
2. Eric Dier (Spurs)
Brought in by Mauricio Pochettino from Sporting Lisbon, I did not expect the youngster to provide such drama on his debut. He started off as a centre back but switched to right back following Kyle Naughton's dismissal. He may never score again in the EPL and this goal will remain a career highlight for Dier.
3. Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
A great performance from the French international against Newcastle earns Clichy a spot in the inaugural Team of the Week. If the statisticians are correct, then Clichy was the most potent ball carrier for City with four dribbles and three crosses from the flanks.
4. Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
An exceptional performance from Vlaar as his led Aston Villa to victory against Stoke City. The Dutchman never looked like getting beaten all day and was colossal in the air. Paul Lambert will do well to keep Vlaar at the club this season.
5. James Chester (Hull City)
Steve Bruce is not afraid to buy a Manchester United-bred player and in James Chester he found his match-winner on Saturday. Chester escaped Rio Ferdinand's marking to find the only goal in tightly contested match. Not afraid to get stuck in at the back, Chester will be hoping to continue this fine form as the season progresses.
6. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Another fine display by the Liverpool youngster which saw him net his side's first goal. At 19-years-old and capable of playing on either wing or behind the striker, Liverpool have a truly wonderful talent on their hands. Sterling will be key to Brendan Rodger's assault on the title this season.
7. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea)
I was surprised to see Spurs left Sigurdsson go during the summer but his performance at Old Trafford came as no surprise. He produced a brilliant display in the midfield where he was involved in keeping his side in the game before breaking United hearts with his strike in the 72nd minute.
8. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
A top performer in the league last year before he broke down with injury, Ramsey netted a crucial winner in time added on to help Arsenal to all three points against Crystal Palace. It wasn't a great display by the Gunners but Wenger will be relieved that his side fought right to the very end.
9. David Silva (Manchester City)
David Silva has not scored the amount of goals a player of his calibre should be but against Newcastle, the Spaniard looked to be back to his best. He was involved in most of City's attacks and looked up for the fight. City will go far in all competitions if Silva keeps producing the goods.
10. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
Dzeko had a great game against Newcastle and showed why he deserves a starting spot in the star-studded City team. Often overlooked by other coaches at City, Manuel Pellegrini has rewarded Dzeko with consistent game time and Dzeko is backing up the faith shown in him with some stellar performances.
11. Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
Two goals on opening day for Berahino means that the Baggies striker is the unlikely name in Team of Week. At just 21-years-old Berahino has a bright future ahead of him with coach Alan Irvine already keen to ward off potential suitors after gameweek 1 of the EPL.
