There were some stunning individual performances in the Premier League over the past week with a number of players turning in match-winning displays for their sides.

Shinji Kagawa earned all the plaudits at Old Trafford as Manchester United opened up a 15-point lead at the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Norwich City, while a Luis Suarez hat-trick saw Liverpool notch up the same scoreline at Wigan Athletic.

Meanwhile, it was seven good days for Gareth Bale thanks to three vital goals for Tottenham Hotspur in their victories over West Ham United and Arsenal respectively.

At the other end of the table, Queens Park Rangers caused a stir in the relegation battle as they picked up only their third win of the season with a 2-1 triumph at fellow strugglers Southampton, but Reading's survival hopes took a blow with a 3-1 loss at Everton.

Here, Sports Mole selects the 11 players who proved their worth in England's top flight.

Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
The Merseysiders may have romped to a 4-0 win at Wigan, but the Spaniard was forced into a number of impressive saves to keep the Latics at bay.

Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Ivanovic did well against a dangerous West Brom side as a composed, consistent 90 minutes from the versatile Serbian helped his team to a 1-0 win.
Jan Vertonghen (Spurs)
It was a typically-frantic North London derby against Arsenal and the steady Belgian came through with flying colours as Tottenham got one over on their neighbours.
Ashley Williams (Swansea)
Swansea avoided a hangover against Newcastle following their League Cup win last weekend thanks to a focused, well-drilled display - exemplified by their captain.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Yes, him again. Baines did what he does best during the Toffees' victory over Reading: Bombing up and down the left side with nothing but full commitment.

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
The Brazilian is still finding his feet in English football, though you wouldn't have guessed it with two fine assists in the Reds' victory at Wigan.
Shinji Kagawa (Man Utd)
The quicksilver Japanese international stole the show at Old Trafford with a wonderful hat-trick during United's 4-0 triumph against Norwich.
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
One goal and one assist for the tireless South African capped a fine display in Everton's win over Reading.
Gareth Bale (Spurs)
Despite his goal, Bale may not have been at his influential best in the North London derby, but his match-winning performance at West Ham at the start of the week proved that he is British football's man of the moment.

Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
A second hat-trick of the season at Wigan could well have etched the unstoppable Uruguayan's name onto the PFA Player of the Year trophy.
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)
While Kagawa wrote the headlines at Old Trafford, Rooney was rewarded for a sharp performance against Norwich with a peach of a goal.