"Volleyed winner with aplomb" – The Times
"Sealed his first league hat-trick" – CreweAlex.com
"Late knockout blow" – Manchester Evening News

Dean Ashton’s potential has been well-known for several years but this season he is adding goals to his game as well.

Ashton, who started England’s last under-21 international against Holland alongside Carlton Cole, celebrated his 100th league start for Crewe on Saturday with his first hat-trick.

The 20-year-old scored his first two from the penalty spot and then struck a winner from 20 yards in injury-time, as visitors Crewe helped shock promotion-chasing Wigan 3-2.

On the way, Ashton defied manager Dario Gradi who hates players who have been fouled taking penalties.

But it happened for Crewe’s second goal – Ashton was fouled, Kenny Lunt got ready to take it but the striker insisted on having the ball – and scored.

His winner was pure Ashton and showed the talent he has. He controlled Kenny Lunt’s pass on the left and hit a terrific shot from an acute angle past John Filan.

"I would have settled for a point with 10 minutes left but not with 40 seconds," said manager Gradi. "It was a fanastic strike by Dean. It's great for him to get a hat-trick and he took the goal very well."

Gradi has uncovered talents like Neil Lennon, David Platt, Robbie Savage and Danny Murphy at Gresty Road – and Ashton could go on to be the best of the lot.

And don’t forget the latest Crewe kids are in this season’s FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

Lion of the Weekend - Weekly Awards

Paul Scholes 4

Steven Gerrard 3
Frank Lampard 3

James Beattie 2
David Beckham 2
Jermain Defoe 2
Wayne Rooney 2
John Terry 2

Shola Ameobi 1
Dean Ashton 1
Kieron Dyer 1
Anthony Gardner 1
Emile Heskey 1
Glen Johnson 1
James Milner 1
Stefan Moore 1
Luke Moore 1
Kevin Nolan 1
Jermaine Pennant 1

TheFA.com will announce their Lion of the Weekend every Monday. A Lion of the Season award will be announced in May based on the number of weekly nominations.