With some juicy fixtures on the list this weekend, the real talking point in the build-up was just who exactly to captain. The correct selection could be more crucial than usual this week. Agüero at home to Newcastle? Costa or Hazard at home to Burnley? Kane at home to West Ham? Any of the Arsenal front 7 away at Palace?

AVL v STO

With Tim Sherwood taking up the helm at Villa Park, many hoped this would see him have an instant impact on a team who hadn't recorded a win since GW15, and who had lost the last 5 in a row. If words could win football matches, then Villa were nailed on for a home win with the typically bombastic Sherwood promising the world on a plate. They certainly got off to a good start with Scott Sinclair nudging a header past Begovic from Delph's cross. Stoke pulled level with Ireland laying on a pinpoint cross for Diouf to bury a bullet header into the corner. Just as it looked like the game was going to drift to a close with a hard earned point for each team, Ron Vlaar upended Victor Moses to earn Stoke a penalty and himself a red card. Moses cooly stepped up and sent Guzan the wrong way. 1-2 the final score line and a distinct lack of a “Sherwood Effect”. It's going to be tough for Villa to survive now. Bonus points were awarded as follows:

• Diouf & Moses - 3pts
  
• Sinclair - 1pt

CHE v BUR

Those who haven't watched Burnley much this season probably thought this would end with a cricket score in Chelsea's favour. Those in the know, however, recognise Sean Dyche's troops can be a tough nut to crack. Popular captain choice laid on the assist for Branislav Ivanovic to gobble up and become this seasons leading goal scorer from defence with 4 goals. The game will probably be remembered for Nemanja Matic's red card after he reacted to a horrendous challenge from Ashley Barnes. Burnley seized the initiative and got their reward ten minutes from time when Ben Mee headed past Courtois from Kieran Trippier's cross. 1-1 the final result and Jose Mourinho will no doubt go home and kick the cat around his living room. Points lost at the top of the table, with the Manchester City team no doubt watching on with interest in the dressing room at the Etihad as they prepared for the evening kick-off.

• Hazard - 3pts
  
• Luis - 2pts
  
• Mee - 1pt

CRY v ARS

Alan Pardew has galvanised his Palace team since jumping ship from Tyneside, but faced arguably his biggest test with the visit of free scoring Arsenal. Pape Souaré wasted no time marking his debut in the Premier League by fouling Danny Welbeck in the box with the ref pointing to the spot. Santi Cazorla stepped up to score his 3rd goal in 5 games. It took until first half injury time for the Gunners to double their lead after Welbeck's shot came back off Speroni for Giroud to pounce. The still reasonably priced Frenchman made up for being dropped for the Leicester game last time out. The second half was devoid of goals, and owners of Arsenal defenders were looking forward to some clean sheet points. That was until late sub Glenn Murray - who obviously doesn't have his own FPL team - ruined the party in the 94th minute scoring after a goalmouth scramble. 1-2 the final score.

• Cazorla - 3pts
  
• Giroud - 2pts
  
• Welbeck - 1pt

HUL v QPR

Last week Hull beat Villa 2-0 at the KC with their strike pairing of Jelavic and new boy Dame N'Doye grabbing a goal each. With another home game, they welcomed QPR fresh from their first away win since Victorian times up at Sunderland. It took 16 minutes for a poor clearance from Caulker to land on the toe of Jelavic who volleyed home the opener. Joey Barton decided to prove what an exceptional human being he is by getting himself red carded for fondling Tom Huddlestone's gentlemen parts. When you are down at the bottom of the table, fighting relegation, this is the last thing you need your captain to be doing. Not that it mattered to FPL managers; even Joey Barton wouldn't own Joey Barton. Although they were down to ten men, QPR equalised with Charlie Austin grabbing a goal assisted by Matt Phillips. Austin celebrated by grabbing his knee in mock pain, a reference to Hull pulling out of a deal to sign him citing injury concerns. N'Doye grabbed the winner heading in from close range in the 89th minute. The assist was provided by Robbie Brady. Hull now have an excellent platform to build on to pull away from the bottom three; QPR have a lot of work to do.

• Brady & Austin - 3pts
  
• Jelavic- 1pt

SUN v WBA

If ever there was a fixture that could be guaranteed to be a goalless draw, it was this one. There wasn't much to report other than the omission of Sunderland's Patrick Van Aanholt and the confirmation that Albion manager Tony Pulis REALLY doesn't fancy Andre Wisdom. Injury doubts over Jermaine Defoe were rife all week, but in all honesty Gus Poyet had no option other than to play him. When your alternative is Danny Graham, it's a bit of a no brainer. As it turns out Sunderland wrongfully had a goal chalked off for offside on the stroke of halftime. Seb Larsson the unlucky party. Despite Sunderland's dominance, Albion held on for the point.

• Vergini - 3pts
  
• Reveillere - 2pts
  
• O'Shea - 1pt
  

SWA v MUN

Swansea beat Manchester Utd in the opening game of the season, but with Van Gaal's men in top form (despite not playing very well), it was unlikely for lightning to strike twice. However, it does, and it did. Van Gaal finally relented a little and gave Herrera a start and pushed Rooney up higher. It looked to have paid off as United went a goal up with Herrera scoring from Di Maria's assist. Teams know that United are hardly watertight these days, and Ki Sung-Yeung bagged his 2nd in 3 games from a Jonjo Shelvey cross. The winner came from the stunning strike of Shelvey, who was unfortunate to only be credited with a second assist as his shot hit Bafétimbi Gomis on its way past De Gea. A league double over United for Swansea which allowed Arsenal to jump above them into 3rd, while Swansea are now only a point behind 8th placed West Ham.

• Di Maria & Herrera - 3pts
  
• Shelvey - 1pt

MCY v NEW

Manchester City had seen the result from Stamford Bridge by the time they took to the pitch for their game against Newcastle. They were no doubt fired up to cut Chelsea's lead at the top of the table. Poor Newcastle. The match was effectively over after 30 seconds. That's how long it took for Dzeko to be fouled in the box. Despite the return of Yaya Toure, Agüero was on penalty kick duties and he made no mistake. Nasri doubled the lead on 12 minutes, Dzeko with his second assist of the game. The Bosnian finally got on the score sheet scoring City's third with David Silva laying on the assist. 3-0 at halftime with Newcastle not in the game at all. The next goal came courtesy of Silva (Nasri assist) who then scored the 5th and final goal of the game with Agüero assisting. If this was City sending out a message to Chelsea then it certainly worked. 5 points the gap now and I'll put it out there now - this was a season defining moment. City to win the League now for me.

• Silva - 3pts 
  
• Nasri - 2pts
  
• Agüero - 1pt

So, popular captain picks Agüero and Hazard both delivered, but Costa flattered to deceive yet again. Those who gave him the armband will be kicking themselves tonight no doubt. Tomorrow sees Harry Kane and Spurs take on West Ham, Everton play Leicester and Southampton hosting Liverpool. Join me again tomorrow evening for Part 2 of the Suffix.