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Fernando Torres returned from injury to down Manchester United and for his efforts, the Liverpool striker heads our team of the week.

HOW IT WORKS

We take marks out of 10 awarded to Premier League players from a selection of six national newspapers - The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, The Times and the Guardian - then create an average and round to the nearest half. The top player in each position will be rewarded with a spot in the team of the week, while the worst scorers will be named and shamed in our Flops XI.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Torres struck with a typically clinical finish at Anfield to get Liverpool back into the title race and ease the pressure on underfire manager Rafa Benitez - not bad for a day's work.

The Spaniard is joined up top in our select XI by Wigan's Hugo Rodallega, who bagged a brace and looked dangerous in the Latics' win over Burnley, and Christian Benitez, who was not on the scoresheet in Birmingham's win over Sunderland, but did enough to impress Fleet Street's finest.

In behind our hitmen this week is a midfield trio consisting of Wolves' skipper Karl Henry and Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Joe Cole.

Henry was imperious as Wolves grabbed a point against Midlands rivals Aston Villa while Frank Lampard returned to goalscoring form in the league with two against Blackburn. Cole, in his first match since January, looked good in the same game.

At the back, Liverpool pair Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher are rewarded for their efforts against the champions, while Stoke's Ryan Shawcross and Stephen Warnock of Villa complete the back line.

Steve Simonsen was only called up 20 minutes before Stoke kicked off against Tottenham, but he was on his game from the first whistle and is handed the gloves this week.

Team of the week (4-3-3):

GK: Steve Simonsen (Stoke City) - 8

RB: Glen Johnson (Liverpool) - 7

CB: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool) - 8

CB: Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City) - 7.5

LB: Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa) - 7

RM: Karl Henry (Wolves) - 7.5

CM: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - 8

LM: Joe Cole (Chelsea) - 7.5

RFW: Christian Benitez (Birmingham) - 8

CFW: Fernando Torres (Liverpool) - 8

LFW: Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic) - 8

FLOPS OF THE WEEK

Hull's goalless draw with Portsmouth was one of the worst 90 minutes of football ever witnessed, and fittingly, five players on show at the KC Stadium make it into our flops XI.

Hull's Paul McShane, Geovanni, Seyi Olofinjana and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are named and shamed while Marc Wilson is included from the Portsmouth side.

Elsewhere, Birmingham keeper Joe Hart had an off-day, despite the Blues' victory over Sunderland, who are represented this week by right-back Phil Bardsley and midfielder Steed Malbranque.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto of Tottenham completes the back four while Morten Gamst Pedersen and Jason Roberts were so poor for Blackburn in their 5-0 drubbing by Chelsea, they get the nod further forward.

Flops of the week (4-4-2):

GK: Joe Hart (Birmingham City) - 5

RB: Phil Bardsley (Sunderland) - 5

CB: Paul McShane (Hull City) - 4

CB: Marc Wilson (Portsmouth) - 4

LB: Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham) - 4.5

RM: Steed Malbranque (Sunderland) - 4

CM: Geovanni (Hull City) - 4.5

CM: Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City) - 4.5

LM: Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers) - 4.5

FW: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Hull City) - 3.5

FW: Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers) - 4.5

TEAM OF THE SEASON

Just one change in the updated version of team of the season, with Bolton defender Gary Cahill muscling his way into the elite XI thanks to a solid goal-scoring performance in the win over Everton - and at the expense of Villa's Richard Dunne.

Didier Drogba takes over the mantle of the best player of the season from Craig Bellamy after a fine performance against Blackburn.

Team of the Season (4-4-2, minimum five starts):

GK: Shay Given (Manchester City) - 7.04

RB: Glen Johnson (Liverpool) - 6.83

CB: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) - 7.04

CB: Gary Cahill (Bolton) - 6.85 - NEW ENTRY

LB: Ashley Cole (Chelsea) - 6.78

RM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) - 7.19

CM: Gareth Barry (Manchester City) - 7.25

CM: David Dunn (Blackburn Rovers) - 7.28

LM: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) - 7.17

FW: Craig Bellamy (Manchester City) - 7.44

FW: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) - 7.63

FLOPS OF THE SEASON

The Flops XI sees a handful of new entries this week.

George McCartney, even though he only came on as a substitute and therefore did not score any points, Hull's Dean Marney and Everton's Marouane Fellaini are all named and shamed.

But the title of worst player of the season so far goes to another new entry, fellow Hull flop Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who the papers universally thought was rubbish against Pompey.

Flops of the Season (4-4-2, minimum five starts):

GK: Carlo Cudicini (Tottenham) - 5.33

RB: Paul McShane (Hull City) - 5.22

CB: Ibrahima Sonko (Hull City) - 5.13

CB: Marc Wilson (Portsmouth) - 5.29

LB: George McCartney (Sunderland) - 5.72 - NEW ENTRY

RM: Greg Halford (Wolves) - 5.67

CM: Dean Marney (Hull City) - 5.60 - NEW ENTRY

CM: Marouane Fellaini (Everton) - 5.72 - NEW ENTRY

LM: Kevin Kilbane (Hull City) - 5.72

FW: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Hull City) - 4.87 - NEW ENTRY

FW: Andrew Johnson (Fulham) - 5.47

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