• Premier League Plays of the Day

Plays of the Day: Roo am I playing for?

Wayne Rooney was at the centre of everything at Old Trafford © Getty Images

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Roo am I playing for?
Wayne Rooney had not scored a league goal for Manchester United prior to Saturday's visit of Stoke, so when he sent the ball into his own net after 11 minutes he was actually on minus-one goals for the season. Fortunately for Wazza, he reacted superbly, netting two at the right end to become the first United player since David Beckham to score at both ends of Old Trafford.

United front?
Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't get many things wrong, but he incorrectly predicted Rio Ferdinand would wear the Kick It Out shirt prior to the match with Stoke. Ferdinand was one of several players who opted not to don the garment, with Reading striker Jason Roberts leading a protest because he feels Kick It Out has "not been strong enough" in its response to John Terry's ban for racial abuse.

An ironic standing ovation
Luis Suarez was at his twisting and turning best at times for Liverpool against Reading at Anfield, so inevitably he lured a foul at one stage in the first half. It was Kaspars Gorkss who felled the Uruguayan from behind, and the referee responded by blowing for a free-kick. Cue a standing ovation from all four sides of Anfield as they ironically greeted a decision in their beloved No. 7's favour.

Sterling work
Raheem Sterling, at 17 years and 316 days, scored his first Premier League goal to end Liverpool's five-month wait for a home league win. Sterling becomes the Reds' second youngest scorer behind a certain Michael Owen, and he is the eighth youngest scorer in Premier League history.

Michu has scored six times this season © PA Photos

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Taking the Michu
Brendan Rodgers is being linked with all kinds of strikers to solve his goalscoring issues at Liverpool, but maybe he needs look no further than former club Swansea. Summer signing Michu has scored six goals from eight shots on target this season after his strike in the 2-1 win over Wigan - boasting the type of goals-to-shots ratio that Suarez can only dream of. Alternatively, Emile Heskey is banging them in over in Australia...

Goal of the weekend
Don't miss Emmerson Boyce's ultimately pointless effort for Wigan in their 2-1 defeat at Swansea. Trailing 2-0, the ball bounced down and then up behind Boyce, who reacted with an impish back-heel flick kind of jobby that stunned Michel Vorm in the Swansea net. Wonderful effort.

Bale out
There were tears of despair for Fantasy League players everywhere when it emerged that Gareth Bale would not play any part in Tottenham's match at home to Chelsea. Bale was initially named in the Spurs starting XI, but was then withdrawn when his partner went into labour. Cue Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic squealing with delight in the away dressing room, while those who snuck Tom Huddlestone into their Fantasy teams chuckled at the thought of an appearance bonus.

Saints and easy
If Southampton fans are in any doubt over the likelihood of them getting relegated this season, they need only to hear this stat. No side have ever conceded as many goals after eight games of a Premier League season as Southampton, who have now shipped 24 after their 4-1 loss to West Ham. Still, they haven't played Liverpool yet.

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