Following a frantic weekend of FA Cup action it is easy to forget that there was an exciting card of Premier League fixtures earlier in the week.
The most jaw-dropping result came at Stamford Bridge as Queens Park Rangers somehow earned a 1-0 win at Chelsea, while at the other end of the table Manchester United romped to a 4-0 victory at Wigan Athletic.
Manchester City kept the pressure on their nearest and dearest thanks to a 3-0 triumph over Stoke City, but Newcastle United's season got worse as they were beaten 2-1 at home to Everton.
Having cast its eye over the opening round of games for 2013, Sports Mole selects its team of the week.
Julio Cesar (QPR)
The veteran Brazilian kept out 11 Chelsea efforts at Stamford Bridge as the Premier League strugglers caused one of the shocks of the season with their 1-0 win.
Pablo Zabaleta (Man City)
Zabaleta was at his dynamic best against a hapless Stoke side and he capped his performance with a well-taken goal.
Michael Dawson (Spurs)
The centre-back is enjoying a fine season and he got his first goal of the league campaign with a diving header in Tottenham's 3-1 win over Reading.
Jonny Evans (Man Utd)
Evans put his recent dodgy display against Newcastle behind him as United romped to a 4-0 victory at Wigan.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Aside from a typically-dogged shift, Baines scored one of the goals of the season so far with his rocket of a free kick during Everton's 2-1 win at Newcastle.
Aaron Lennon (Spurs)
Teammate Scott Parker recently claimed that the winger was playing the best football of his career and it would be hard to argue otherwise considering his ruthless performance against Reading.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
There's been plenty of talk about the Liverpool captain's supposed waning influence at Anfield, but he had no problem pulling all the strings from midfield during his team's victory over Sunderland.
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
The South African was the definition of graft at Newcastle, covering every blade of grass with an incredible, selfless display.
Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)
Sections of the United faithful have been critical of the wily Welshman as of late - only for him to go and give a fine showing in the Red Devils' win over Wigan.
Robin van Persie (Man Utd)
There's not a great deal left to say about the Dutchman considering his exploits this season, but the first of his two goals at Wigan was a thing of beauty.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
The week may have ended on a controversial note for Suarez, but it all started so well thanks to a brace against Sunderland.
