PREMIER LEAGUEPremier League: Team of the Week – August 18/19Michu was inspired for Swansea. (©GettyImages)By Mark Bollonsgivemefootball.com, Mon 20 August 2012 12.14Michel Vorm – Swansea CityThe Swans stopper started this season like he ended the last, provinghimself to be one of the very best goalkeepers in the Premier League withanother clean sheet.Michael Laudrup will be delighted to have the Dutchman between the sticksthis season, and Vorm made 11 saves in the 5-0 hammering of QPR atLoftus Road.Branislav Ivanovic – ChelseaThe Serbian international appeared like a man possessed at Wigan onSunday, marauding down the right flank to score his side’s first goal in theopening minutes of the game.Ivanovic was involved in a great battle with Victor Moses throughout thematch, but the fact the Latics failed to register a goal shows who had thebetter of proceedings in a 2-0 win.Liam Ridgewell – West Bromwich AlbionFew would have predicted a comfortable 3-0 win for the Baggies at thestart of play against Liverpool, but Steve Clarke’s side were in excellentform to keep the Reds at bay and hit them on the counter.Ridgewell was a defensive rock for his side, helping frustrate Luis Suarezand then Andy Carroll before setting a platform with the ball to moveforward and score goals.James Collins – West Ham UnitedA dream second debut for Collins, who returned to the Hammers thissummer from Aston Villa and delivered the goods immediately for SamAllardyce’s side against his former club.In a match settled by Kevin Nolan’s solitary strike, the solid performanceof the back four was crucial, and Collins marshaled the defence like he’dnever been away from Upton Park.John Arne Riise – FulhamWhilst the Fulham full-back didn’t get on the scoresheet, he played a hugepart in a couple of the goals his side scored during an emphatic 5-0victory over Norwich.Keeping a clean sheet is always the priority for a defender, but Riiseoffers his side much more than that, and he showed why he’s so valuableto Martin Jol at Craven Cottage.Samir Nasri – Manchester CityIn a team packed full of stars, it was French international Samir Nasriwho made the big difference when it mattered for Manchester City intheir 3-2 win over newly-promoted Southampton.Having created the first goal for Carlos Tevez, the attacking midfielderproved to be a thorn in the side of the Saints throughout, and duly scoredthe winner for Roberto Mancini’s men late on.Michu – Swansea CityA stunning debut for Spanish star Michu helped Swansea City to anemphatic 5-0 win on the opening day, with the former Rayo Vallecanomidfielder stealing the headlines at Loftus Road.Having scored 15 goals for his old club in La Liga last season, this braceshould not have come as a surprise, and his passing ability on the ball is alsosomething to behond. The future looks very bright.Santi Cazorla – ArsenalThe one true positive in Arsenal’s disappointing 0-0 draw againstSunderland at the weekend, with the Spaniard finding a number of keypasses which others failed to capitalise on at the Emirates.With top players leaving, the ex-Malaga starlet will be vital to the Gunners’challenge for a top four finish this season, and he made a good startagainst the Black Cats.Eden Hazard – ChelseaA fantastic Premier League debut for the highly-rated Belgianinternational, who showed just why so many teams were chasing hissignature in the summer transfer window.The former Lille star created the first goal and won a penalty for theBlues inside ten minutes, and Roberto Di Matteo will be hoping for more ofthe same as the season goes on.Mladen Petric – FulhamAnother debutant makes the team of the week, after Petric struck abrace in the emphatic 5-0 win for the Cottagers.Whilst the striker will probably score better goals during his time in westLondon, these two did the job perfectly on Saturday, and took the gameaway from the Canaries when they still had a chance.Jermain Defoe – Tottenham HotspurThe England striker built on his international goal in midweek with another inthe 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, smashing home from close range to bring hisside level.Defoe also hit the post and led the line well for his side, who will need thestriker on top form throughout this season if another forward isn’tdrafted in before August 31st.NEXT ARTICLE