World Player of the Week: Kevin-Prince Boateng - AC Milan

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Then Kevin-Prince Boateng replaced Massimo Ambrosini at the break. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri had to make changes to his side’s midfield after they were dominated in the first 45, and the 24-year-old’s introduction turned the game entirely on its head.

Just three minutes after coming on, the Ghana international rifled a stunning half-volley past Lecce goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi to make it 3-1.

Six minutes later Boateng lashed home Antonio Cassano’s lay-off from the edge of the hosts’ box to make it 3-2 - and he completed his hat-trick on 63 minutes when he found the net from an acute angle.

Milan had clawed their way back from 3-0 down to 3-3 thanks to his 14-minute hat-trick. Mario Yepes would go on to bag his side’s fourth and winning goal in their dramatic 4-3 victory, but Boateng would take all the headlines.

The treble rounded off a perfect week for Boateng, who also scored the second goal in Milan’s 2-0 home victory over BATE Borisov in the Champions League in midweek.

Alberto Aquilani appears to have put his injury woes behind him and had a superb week for AC Milan. The Italy international midfielder was the Rossoneri’s best player in their 2-0 home mastering of BATE Borisov in the Champions League in midweek, and came off the bench against Lecce to contribute to their 4-3 away win in Serie A on Sunday.

Mario Balotelli – Manchester City

Mario Balotelli was involved in letting fireworks go off at his house prior to the Manchester derby against Manchester United. But the Italy international striker made sure that there were fireworks at Old Trafford as well, scoring twice in City’s crushing 6-1 victory.

Wes Hoolahan – Norwich City

Norwich City recorded a marvellous 1-1 draw with Liverpool  at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, and the man at the heart of that result was a certain Wes Hoolahan. He was the Canaries’ most potent force and dominated proceedings for his team, moving seamlessly from defensive to attacking midfield.

Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal

Aaron Ramsey had a sensational week for Arsenal as he proved to be crucial both in the Champions League and in the Premier League. The Wales international midfielder scored the Gunners’ winner in injury time against Marseille in midweek as Arsene Wenger’s side recorded a 1-0 victory in France, and then bossed the midfield against Stoke City in their 3-1 home win on Sunday.

David Silva – Manchester City

David Silva has been arguably Manchester City’s best player this season, and he continued to assert himself with a virtuoso performance in his side’s win against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Spain international’s vision and craft was way beyond his opponents' reach, while he put his name on the scoresheet, too. This performance came just days after he made a telling contribution in City’s 2-1 home victory over Villarreal in the Champions League.

Javi Varas – Sevilla

Javi Varas has been arguably the outstanding goalkeeper in the Primera Division so far this season, and he was the main reason his side collected a point from their visit to Camp Nou on Saturday. He kept out everything the Barcelona players threw at him, including a Lionel Messi penalty in injury time, to ensure the game finished in a goalless draw.