As transfer deadline day approaches many players stepped up to the plate in an attempt to ensure their position within the first team was made concrete with some decisive moments proving key to the score-line.

The weekend was dominated by the first exclusive Super Sunday, with Liverpool narrowly defeating Manchester United with a clever touch from Daniel Sturridge four minutes into the game.  The lively game at Anfield was followed by an intense end-to-end North-London derby which saw Arsenal overcome Spurs with a goal from French forward Olivier Giroud, proving that Daniel Levy’s large expenditure on a host of players may take time to blend. 

Also on Sunday, Swansea City gave themselves a lift following a poor start with an impressive 2-0 victory away at the Hawthorns, leaving West Brom failing to get on the score sheet within the first three games of the campaign.  Goals from Ben Davies and Pablo Hernandez secured a comfortable win for Michael Laudrup’s side.

On Saturday, the early kick-off saw a tight-affair between Manuel Pelligrini’s Manchester City as they nervously overcame a brave and energetic Hull side.  Despite their defensive worries without captain Vincent Kompany in the starting line-up, goals on the score sheet from new signing Alvaro Negredo and midfielder Yaya Toure enlisted a 2-0 victory over the opposition.

In other games, a wonder strike from Hatem Ben Arfa ended a run of four home games without a goal for Newcastle United as they beat Fulham, whilst a late double from Crystal Palace stunned opposition Sunderland as the Eagles recorded their first three points of the season with a 3-1 triumph at Selhurst Park. Wins for Stoke City and Norwich City over West Ham United and Southampton respectively saw solitary goals separate the teams with two wonderful individual efforts from Jermaine Pennant for the Potters and Nathan Redmond for the Cannaries.  The only draw of the day saw Everton secure yet another draw away to Malky Mackay’s Cardiff City.

Of the nine goals scored over the weekend, here are the top picks above the rest…

5) Nathan Redmond’s piece of magic Vs Southampton

Norwich’s young and speedy winger made the difference in a rigid fixture between two clubs vying fro a top-ten finish this season. 

The wide-man, purchased from Birmingham City was brought in for his energy and willingness to surprise the opposition.  The England youngster certainly did this, drifting in from the left flank, then protecting the ball with two glittering step-overs before knocking the ball into space to hit a low drive into the bottom left-hand corner of Artur Boruc’s target.

His youth, creative nature and dynamism will not only add to the goal tally at Carrow Road but he may assist striker’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Gary Hooper and Johan Elmander with plenty of opportunities to score this season.

4) Jermaine Pennant’s dead ball strike Vs West Ham United

A terrific victory away from home for ‘Sparky’ Mark Hughes was accompanied by a clinical free-kick, worked by former England winger Jermaine Pennant.

The ex Arsenal and Liverpool man scored his first goal in over two years, expressing a potential needs to prove his worth after a topsy-tervy career path.

The substitute’s free-kick was hit with genuine pace, zipping over the wall and piercing the back of the net following a swooping run-up to keep the goalkeeper guessing.  A fabulous strike articulating Pennant’s underrated talent which may have caught the eye of a certain Roy Hodgson ahead of a crucial summer next year.

3) Ben Davies volley Vs West Bromwich Albion

Left-back Ben Davies produced a rare piece of attacking delight in a convincing victory over West Brom with an unbelievable finish inside the eighteen yard area. 

The Welsh international finished with panache following a deadly second-time cross from Pablo Hernandez from the right.  Davies all round performance was indicative of the Swans who were rewarded their first points of the season over a poor Steve Clarke side.

His willingness to penetrate the box with speed enabled the impressive full-back to hit the ball with power to give keeper Boaz Myhill little chance of getting a hand to the finish.

2) Hatem Ben Arfa curler with his left boot Vs Fulham

Injury prone Ben Arfa announced himself in a tight game with a blistering goal of skill and imagination. 

The wonder strike began with wonderful control on the chest from a terrific cross-field pass, presenting the French international with time to make up his mind before giving the opposition a taster of his breathtaking inventory.

Merging in from the right-hand side of the 18-yard area, the winger bedazzled two defenders with two fake step-overs before whipping the ball in with his left peg, curling beyond the rest of the field whilst leaving David Stockdale standing still in-between the sticks. 

The winger secured a vital three points for the Magpies following a torrid start to the campaign.  Ben Arfa’s fitness may prove grave importance to Newcastle’s progress this term whilst a repeats of enchanting goals such as this will be supported highly by the home fans.

1) Yaya Toure free-kick Vs Hull City Tigers

Man City’s powerful Ivorian seal a tense three points for the home side with a free-kick of sheer artistic value.

The midfielder provided curl and pace with and unstoppable strike, demonstrating the importance of working set pieces on the training ground.

Following last week’s devastating defeat at the hands of a Fraizer Campbell double at the Cardiff City Stadium, despite Hull’s grit and determination, Toure’s 20-yard hit placed authority over the opposition leaving Allan McGregor at full stretch whilst the defender on the line was beaten by the ball’s pace which shook the crossbar on its way towards the back of the net. 

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for game four…

The excitement of Monday’s transfer deadline day will be the topic of conversation over the next week before England take the field to break-up the English Premier League fixture list with two crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The action returns of Saturday 14th September with a mouth-watering fixture-list as Manchester United host Crystal Palace in the day’s early game before the whistles erupt at 15:00 hours with United’s four title contenders all facing sturdy competition.  Man City take on the strength and presence of Stoke, Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland, Spurs will look to embed all of their new recruits in a home game against Chris Hughton’s Norwich whilst Goodison Park sees a promising encounter between Everton and Chelsea take place. 

Elsewhere on Saturday Aston Villa invite Newcastle United to their stomping ground whilst West Brom take a trip Craven Cottage to face Fulham.

Sunday 15th sees a 16:00 kick-off as Southampton enter the ring against West Ham United whilst Brendan Rodgers takes his Liverpool side down to former employers Swansea on Monday 16th.