WhoScored Premier League Team of the Week - Matchday 1

With the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign now over, with only Manchester City and Swansea still to play on Monday night, WhoScored.com analyses the best possible starting XI in a 4-4-2 formation, with Bolton unsurprisingly well-represented having humbled QPR on their first day back in top-flight football.

Goalkeeper / Defence

Asmir Begovic - Stoke City

WhoScored.com Rating - 8.3

In keeping a clean sheet against Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea side in the new manager's first game in charge, Stoke stopper Asmir Begovic picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 8.3. The figure trumped every other keeper in the league on the opening weekend, with only new Villa signing Shay Given coming close on 7.9. With Chelsea bombarding the Stoke goal in the second half in search of a winner, Begovic made a crucial 7 saves to keep his side level, while Cech in the opposite goal made just 1.

Danny Simpson - Newcastle

WhoScored.com Rating - 7.4

Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson was part of another defensive unit that kept out one of the league's top 4 from last season, helping to prevent Arsenal from making the breakthrough on Saturday evening. The defender made 2 key passes in the match, while only substitute Gabriel Obertan made another for Newcastle. Defensively he was in the right place at the right time to make a clearance off the line, 2 interceptions, 3 effective clearances and block 1 shot.

Stephen Warnock - Aston Villa

WhoScored.com Rating - 7.3

Stephen Warnock found himself frozen out under Gerard Houllier at Villa last year, but proved against Fulham that he could be a key player under McLeish. From left-back he had 76 touches of the ball- more than any other player on the pitch and 10 more than Villa's next best. He made more passes than any teammate in turn, with 46, and reached his target with an impressive 80%. In a defensive sense he made a team high of 7 interceptions along with 4 clearances, and blocked 1 shot.

Gary Cahill - Bolton Wanderers

WhoScored.com Rating - 9.2

Bolton defender Gary Cahill was the best of our defensive unit, picking up a fantastic rating of 9.2 in an equally fantastic 4-0 romp over newly promoted QPR on Saturday. The sought after England international started the rout with a spectacular curling strike from the edge of the box to open his account for the season, but his contribution didn't end there. Cahill had 74 touches of the ball from centre-back, more than any other player, won 7 aerial duels and added another shot on target to his display. He also made 2 tackles and team highs of 5 interceptions, 12 clearances and 3 blocks.

Laurent Koscielny - Arsenal

WhoScored.com Rating - 7.7

In keeping a clean sheet away to Newcastle, Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny ensures that none of our back-line conceded a goal in their respective season openers. The Frenchman worked his way to a rating of 7.7 having had 82 touches of the ball, making 59 passes with an accuracy of 85%. He chipped in offensively with 1 shot on target and 1 key pass as well as making 3 tackles, 4 interceptions and 7 clearances at the back.

Midfield

Matt Jarvis - Wolves

WhoScored.com Rating - 8.3

In picking up the man of the match award during Wolves 2-1 victory over Blackburn, winger Matt Jarvis takes his place on the right side of our midfield. As well as picking up an all-important assist, Jarvis was the man fouled which eventually led to Wolves’ winner after Kevin Doyle's initial penalty was saved. Undoubtedly Jarvis' standout statistic was his 5 key passes, considering he only made a total of 18 over the course of the match, reaching his target with 78% as well as making 5 crosses.

Sebastian Larsson - Sunderland

WhoScored.com Rating - 7.7

Sunderland new-boy Sebastian Larsson had a debut to remember, netting the equaliser in an impressive 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. The Swede's magnificently taken volley ensured a share of the spoils, with his contribution from wide a real asset for Steve Bruce. Larsson attempted 3 shots in the game, made 2 key passes and had a magnificent pass success rate of 87%. The former Birmingham man made more accurate crosses than any other player with 4 and also reached his target with 5 long balls.

Ben Watson - Wigan Athletic

WhoScored.com Rating - 8.6

The best midfielder on the opening weekend was not Nani, Lampard or Adam but Wigan's Ben Watson, making a man of the match display in his side's 1-1 draw with Norwich. As well as netting the Latics' only goal of the game from the penalty spot, Watson also struck a post and made 3 key passes. The midfielder was at the heart of all the play, making 96 touches- 20 more than any other player on the pitch. He made 61 passes with an accuracy of 85% as well as attempting 7 crosses and reaching his target with 13 of 16 attempted long balls. Defensively he was also superb, making 4 tackles and 4 interceptions, both highs for the game, as well as 5 clearances and 1 block.

Fabrice Muamba - Bolton Wanderers

WhoScored.com Rating - 8

To say that a goal for Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba is somewhat of a rarity is a huge understatement, but the England Under-21 international managed to hammer the final nail in the QPR coffin by netting Bolton's 4th goal on Saturday. After making an excellent run from deep, the young midfielder showed the composure of a seasoned veteran to finish off Klasnic’s through ball with aplomb. Mainly known for his defensive qualities, Muamba made 2 tackles during the match, as well as 1 interception and 2 clearances.

Attack

Kevin Davies - Bolton Wanderers

WhoScored.com Rating - 7.8

It comes as no surprise to see 4 Bolton players make the team of the week following their emphatic win over QPR and captain Kevin Davies was as pivotal as ever to Coyle's side's success. Only Gary Cahill had more touches than Davies' 70, though nobody came close to the front man's spectacular 6 key passes, which led to 1 assist. The striker played as the target man and link-up player as he always does, and was crucial to teammate Ivan Klasnic's man of the match display.

Ivan Klasnic - Bolton Wanderers

WhoScored.com Rating - 9.4

When Bolton lost the likes of Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge in the summer, many feared for a lack of firepower at the club. Striker Ivan Klasnic sought to ease such worries against QPR and did just that, pipping teammate Cahill to the Premier League player of the week rating with 9.4. His fantastic display saw him find the net from one of his 2 shots, both on target, as well as pick up an assist for Muamba later in the game having made 3 key passes. His creativity was key to his performance, completing 2 out of 2 through balls attempted, one of which led to his aforementioned assist. He also showed a terrific work rate to make 1 tackle, 2 clearances and 1 block on his way to the heroic match rating.