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Never mind Carlos Tevez, Fernando Torres, Darren Bent or any of the other big-name signings, there were other players becoming instant heroes this weekend. Step forward Elano, Roque and co...
ELANO (MANCHESTER CITY)
"England didn't have an Elano," said Sven-Goran Eriksson, proving that his aptitude for understatement has not been dimmed by a year out of the game. England certainly did not have a player like Elano, who was described as being 'on a different plain' by the Daily Telegraph's correspondent. Playing just behind Rolando Bianchi, Elano made Citeh's opening goal, gave Matthew Upson and Anton Ferdinand the definition of a torrid time all afternoon and walked off to a standing ovation from City fans after 80 minutes. The last time Citeh fans were so excited, Georgi Kinkladze was in a blue shirt.
ROQUE SANTA CRUZ (BLACKBURN)
Not many players can be most every hack's choice for man of the match after playing just 30 minutes but such was the impact of the Paraguayan striker who could prove to be the bargain of the summer at £3m. Before Derby splash out £5.5m on Kenwyne Jones, they should take a look at what they could have had for not much more than half the money. It took him only three minutes to score a goal with a towering header and he then spent the next 27 minutes looking for a second. He wasn't successful, but Chris Riggott will not forget this fella's debut in a hurry.
PAUL McSHANE (SUNDERLAND)
Michael Chopra might have got all the headlines but his was a cameo performance, while the real plaudits should go to the character actors in Sunderland's defence. Nyron Nosworthy was a revelation last season but on Saturday he was joined by Paul McShane - part of the same FA Youth Cup-winning side as Kieran Richardson but discarded by the Reds long before his teammate - and he was magnificent. Remember, he was up against the best Premier League strikeforce of last season...and they did absolutely nothing. If Spurs or Villa spend a fortune on Curtis Davies, they will have bought the wrong Baggies defender.
GEREMI (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
"If today I say 'we're going to win the title' people will laugh at me," says Geremi with unerring accuracy, as Newcastle sit proudly at the top of the Premier League thanks to Obafemi Martins' goals, Steven Taylor's defensive nous and the addition of Geremi to the Toon midfield. He might not have been many Newcastle fans' ideas of a glamour signing, but he could well be the free transfer of the summer as he adds much-needed steel, leadership and experience to Sam Allardyce's side. The title? Not a chance. Top six? Why the hell not?
FLORENT MALOUDA (CHELSKI)
Kudos to Shaun Wright-Phillips for finally producing a performance worthy of his price tag, but the fella on the other wing is not taking quite so long to make an impact. Most impressive in the Community Shield, the Frenchman turned it on again as Chelsea finally played some exciting football again to beat Birmingham 3-2. Quick, cunning and with an eye for goal - he looks like everything Arjen Robben could have been if he's stayed on his feet and out of the treatment room.
Sarah Winterburn
ELANO (MANCHESTER CITY)
"England didn't have an Elano," said Sven-Goran Eriksson, proving that his aptitude for understatement has not been dimmed by a year out of the game. England certainly did not have a player like Elano, who was described as being 'on a different plain' by the Daily Telegraph's correspondent. Playing just behind Rolando Bianchi, Elano made Citeh's opening goal, gave Matthew Upson and Anton Ferdinand the definition of a torrid time all afternoon and walked off to a standing ovation from City fans after 80 minutes. The last time Citeh fans were so excited, Georgi Kinkladze was in a blue shirt.
ROQUE SANTA CRUZ (BLACKBURN)
Not many players can be most every hack's choice for man of the match after playing just 30 minutes but such was the impact of the Paraguayan striker who could prove to be the bargain of the summer at £3m. Before Derby splash out £5.5m on Kenwyne Jones, they should take a look at what they could have had for not much more than half the money. It took him only three minutes to score a goal with a towering header and he then spent the next 27 minutes looking for a second. He wasn't successful, but Chris Riggott will not forget this fella's debut in a hurry.
PAUL McSHANE (SUNDERLAND)
Michael Chopra might have got all the headlines but his was a cameo performance, while the real plaudits should go to the character actors in Sunderland's defence. Nyron Nosworthy was a revelation last season but on Saturday he was joined by Paul McShane - part of the same FA Youth Cup-winning side as Kieran Richardson but discarded by the Reds long before his teammate - and he was magnificent. Remember, he was up against the best Premier League strikeforce of last season...and they did absolutely nothing. If Spurs or Villa spend a fortune on Curtis Davies, they will have bought the wrong Baggies defender.
GEREMI (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
"If today I say 'we're going to win the title' people will laugh at me," says Geremi with unerring accuracy, as Newcastle sit proudly at the top of the Premier League thanks to Obafemi Martins' goals, Steven Taylor's defensive nous and the addition of Geremi to the Toon midfield. He might not have been many Newcastle fans' ideas of a glamour signing, but he could well be the free transfer of the summer as he adds much-needed steel, leadership and experience to Sam Allardyce's side. The title? Not a chance. Top six? Why the hell not?
FLORENT MALOUDA (CHELSKI)
Kudos to Shaun Wright-Phillips for finally producing a performance worthy of his price tag, but the fella on the other wing is not taking quite so long to make an impact. Most impressive in the Community Shield, the Frenchman turned it on again as Chelsea finally played some exciting football again to beat Birmingham 3-2. Quick, cunning and with an eye for goal - he looks like everything Arjen Robben could have been if he's stayed on his feet and out of the treatment room.
Sarah Winterburn
