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£136 million sitting on the bench

Fernando Torres looked thrilled to be warming the Chelsea bench at Sunderland © Getty Images

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Riches to rags
As if being on the end of a public dressing down wasn't enough for Andy Carroll. The £35 million striker was told to shape-up by England boss Fabio Capello, who also told the Geordie to curb his drinking habits. Tough love, you might say. It gets worse for the 22-year-old, however, as he found himself consigned to the substitutes bench for Liverpool's clash with Stoke despite being defended by Reds boss Kenny Dalglish in the week. Carroll wasn't the only high-profile, and expensive, casualty though. Fernando Torres, who has scored one goal in 21 games for Chelsea since joining from Liverpool, had been warned on Friday by manager Andre Villas-Boas his place was not guaranteed and the Portuguese sprung a surprise by leaving the £50 million Spaniard on the bench against Sunderland. Edin Dzeko, who cost Manchester City a cool £27 million, looked on from the dugout against Wigan despite bagging four goals against Tottenham last time out - although the Bosnian was due a rest after a hectic international programme. Samir Nasri was in contention to start for City despite a broken finger but Roberto Mancini preferred to leave the £22 million man out of his starting XI. £136 million on the bench, who would have thought?

Lap of honour
Fresh from securing two of Great Britain's seven medals at the World Championships, Mo Farah was presented on the pitch at his beloved Arsenal. Carrying spikes with the red and white colours of the club splashed across them, Farah - who won 10,000m silver and gold in the 5000m in Daegu - wore his trademark grin as he waved to the Arsenal faithful. Maybe there is still a chance he will become the midfield general, capable of running all day, Arsenal are so badly in need of.

Magic man
It's early days but Sergio Aguero looks worth every penny of his £38 million transfer fee that saw him move from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City. City fans got more than a glimpse of what was to come when the Argentine struck a brace on debut in the 4-0 rout of Swansea. He got on the scoresheet once again in the 5-1 demolition of Tottenham but his latest performance was even more magical, with a hat-trick against Wigan. Ominously for City's rivals, Carlos Tevez is back and the trio of Aguero, Tevez and Silva appear to have struck up an immediate understanding. Aguero for golden boot?

Anything you can do...
Not to be outdone by Aguero, Wayne Rooney netted his second hat-trick in as many games as United returned to the top of the table with a 5-0 win at Bolton. With eight goals in four games, Rooney has single-handedly scored more goals than 18 teams in the Premier League - only United and City have scored more. It was his seventh hat-trick for United to equal United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Rooney has already set his sights on Charlton's United record of 249 goals, and in his current form, you wouldn't bet against him.

Mo Farah waves to the Arsenal fans © Getty Images

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Up and running
Better late than never for Spurs and Arsenal. After considerably slow starts to their league campaigns, both London clubs secured their first victories of the season. Arsenal have endured a turbulent time on and off the pitch in recent weeks but they gave Mo Farah and the rest of the watching Gunners fans a timely boost by edging past top-flight new boys Swansea 1-0. It was by no means vintage Arsenal but a win's a win and manager Arsene Wenger can breathe slightly easier, at least for the time being. Spurs, meanwhile, arrived at Wolves without a single point to their name and any designs Harry Redknapp had on achieving a Champions League spot looked but a distant dream. Cue Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker. Spurs' new additions fitted in instantly, Parker providing the cut and Adebayor the thrust as they combined wonderfully to send them on their way. Jermain Defoe made sure of the points but Redknapp should not get carried away - they sit 13th in the table.

Schoolboy tantrum
Luis Suarez's outburst was something more akin to a playground than a football pitch. Trailing 1-0 against Stoke, Liverpool poured forward in search of an equaliser. As the clock ticked into injury time, Suarez cried out for a penalty after Matthew Upson looked to have handled in the box. Suarez was adamant but referee Mark Clattenburg was unmoved, causing the Liverpool striker to gesticulate and fully get his knickers in a twist. Furthermore, Clattenburg was so unimpressed he booked the Uruguayan for his over-exuberant appeal.

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