Defensive heroics earn points all across the Premiership, while strikers both known and unknown take the spotlight. Elsewhere, beautiful goals abound and one defender has an off day.

By Andrew Discenza

Robin van Persie was the best striker on a day chock full of them, as his brilliant brace led Arsenal to a nervy 2-1 victory over Sunderland. The Gunners seemed to be well on their way after just 29 seconds, with Gervinho squaring to van Persie who let the ball run across his body before smashing a low shot past Simon Mignolet. Van Persie was denied a miraculous goal when he turned gracefully and sent a chip that floated over Mignolet but was kept out by the inside of the post. Soon after, he sent a stinging shot swerving just wide. Sebastian Larsson’s freekick kept Arsenal pushing frantically for a deserved winner, and captain fantastic popped up eight minutes from time with a perfectly executed set-piece of his own. Clipping the ball over the wall with flawless technique, the Dutchman sent the ball curling into the very top corner to complete an inspired performance and cement his status as Arsenal’s best hope for the season.

David De Gea put in his best showing yet for the Champions as his pair of tremendous saves denied Liverpool a deserved winner late on. Stewart Downing’s cross put the goal at Dirk Kuyt’s mercy after a break-away, but De Gea scrambled across to somehow palm the Dutchman’s effort wide. Jordan Henderson then nearly scored an unbelievable winner with a dipping effort from range, but the Spanish goalkeeper showed his improvement between the posts by clawing the ball out from underneath his own bar.

Newcastle earned a 2-2 draw with Tottenham thanks to individual moments of genius by Jonás Gutiérrez & Shola Ameobi. Gutierrez has been a revelation for Newcastle this season, and provided for the first goal with an electric run down the right, bursting past two defenders before his delicate chip found Demba Ba for a simple finish. Substitute Ameobi then stole the show with a strike that puts him among notable forwards this week. The 30-year-old’s first touch seemed to take him too far wide, but he steered himself around before ripping a stunning low drive which sung into the bottom corner to steal a point for Newcastle.

Jonas Olsson produced defensive heroics to match any this season so far, when he blocked a sure goal to preserve West Brom’s advantage over Wolves. Ben Foster had parried Nenad Milijas’ effort, and when the rebound fell to Kevin Doyle a goal seemed a foregone conclusion. But Olsson flew himself in the way, blocking the ball right in front of the line to keep his side on track for victory.

Wojciech Szczesny made arguably the save of the season so far with an unreal stop to keep Arsenal in the match against Sunderland. The game hung very much in the balance at 1-1 when Stephane Sessegnon crossed for Lee Cattermole at the back post, not 3 yards from goal. Cattermole met the ball with an emphatic header that was surely heading for the back of the net, but Szczesny flew across to his left to block the ball with both of his outstretched arms.

Javier Hernandez’s typically predatory equalizer for Manchester United just five minutes after coming on as a substitute stated his case for a starting role. It was the 23-year-old’s movement that earned the goal, as he wriggled away from his immediate marker before latching onto Danny Welbeck’s flick with a clinical header.

Mario Balotelli may earn the headlines for his over-the-top antics on and off the pitch, but he scored a fine overhead goal to send Manchester City on their way to victory over Aston Villa. Never shying away from drama, Balotelli seemed to draw motivation from the taunts of the fans which immediate preceded the goal. A corner came off Micah Richards and bounced in front of Balotelli, who had his back to goal but whipped his foot over his head to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

James Milner scored a brilliant goal to seal City’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa. First he played a delicious cross-field pass to start the move, and when the ball was played back into the middle he was waiting for it, thumping a first-time curler that flew unstoppably into the top corner.

Anthony Pilkington made himself known on Saturday as his brace led Norwich to a 3-1 win over Swansea. First he blasted a volley in from 10 yards out after a fine Steve Morison knockdown. Pilkington then controlled Bradley Johnson’s effort and spun to send the ball into the corner from close range to seal victory for his side.

Mohamed Diame scored a cracking goal despite Wigan’s 3-1 loss to Bolton. The Frenchman took a moment to set himself up 25 yards from goal, before unleashing a blistering shot that simply rocketed into the top corner.

Antolin Alcaraz was at fault for two goals as Wigan fell to a 3-1 defeat against Bolton. The Paraguayan first allowed Nigel Reo-Coker far too much space to turn in Chris Eagles’ cross, then was caught in possession by Eagles who obliged by sealing the points and a dreadful day for the defender.

Scott Sinclair produced an extraordinary assist that deserves mention despite Swansea’s 3-1 loss at Norwich. The 22-year-old took on three players with a tenacious run, and although he slipped to the ground after entering the area he somehow hooked the ball from the turf to find Danny Graham to steer into the corner.

Sebastian Larsson’s freekick wasn’t enough to beat Arsenal, but showed that the 26-year-old Swede has become a bit of a dead-ball expert. Lining up the freekick in a central position, Larsson took aim before striking the ball with wicked swerve that sent it over the wall and dipping under the bar right at the top corner.

Paul Scharner & Peter Odemwingie combined to seal victory with a goal that was very easy on the eyes. Scharner showed he’s still got it with a mazy run across the defense and a cheeky backheel that found Odemwingie. Another striker who perhaps should not have started on the bench, the Nigerian cut inside and finished with typical calm into the bottom corner.

Chelsea may have eased to a 3-1 win over Everton, but substitute Apostolos Vellios made a name for himself by guiding the ball in after being on the pitch for just eight seconds.