Premier League, Week 11: Robin van Persie sinks Arsenal

Game on. The momentum was now with the hosts, and it wasn’t long before they were back on level terms. Dyer, who came on just before Bony’s goal, was the scorer, doing brilliantly to fire off a shot despite being under heavy pressure. Said shot was placed perfectly, trickling past a sprawling Begovic and into the far corner. 2-2.

The free kick led to a corner. The corner led to another handball, this time committed by Wayne Routledge -- and in the penalty box. A spot kick was awarded, and Charlie Adam stepped up to convert, ruining the good vibes around the Liberty Stadium and ensuring that Stoke came away with a point.

Arsenal were having trouble breaking down United when the match was tied, so they could have serious trouble doing it now that United don’t have as much incentive to attack.

But that goal wasn’t without an element of controversy. Minutes before Bardsley struck, Sebastian Larsson might well have earned his marching orders after a horror tackle on City midfielder Javi Garcia. The Sunderland man went studs up into his opponent’s shin — a leg breaker if there ever was one — and somehow escaped even a booking. Perhaps Mike Dean considered crippling Garcia a City advantage?

The second half saw the visitors, who’d switched out Garcia for Jesus Navas, attack in earnest. Blue shirts poured forward, but confronted with what has statistically been the league’s worst defence, they somehow failed to make the breakthrough. Navas came closest, but, when presented with a virtually open goal, the substitute somehow managed to volley straight into Bardsley’s shoulder.

Soldado went close again afterwards as Spurs pressed for an equaliser, with a fine improvised header from Christian Eriksen’s free-kick, but Krul pulled out a magnificent save to deny him — something that would become a theme for the rest of the game.

Spurs were then given a chance to level from a free-kick, and appeared to get some luck when Gylfi Sigurdsson’s effort was deflected away from the diving Krul, but the Dutchman somehow once again pulled off a magnificent save, switching direction to save and then denying Kaboul the chance to score from the follow-up.

Sunderland injuries and suspensions

Out: Andrea Dossena (suspended), Lee Cattermole (suspended). In doubt: Keiren Westwood (neck).

Manchester United injuries and suspensions

Out: Rafael (ankle), Jonny Evans (back), Darren Fletcher (illness), Danny Welbeck (knee). In doubt: Tom Cleverley (double vision), Michael Carrick (achilles).

Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions

Out: Nacer Chadli (adductor), Danny Rose (foot), Emmanuel Adebayor (match fitness). In doubt: Hugo Lloris (concussion).

Jonny Howson just about put the Canaries up in the 71st minute with an incredible strike from distance that smacked the crossbar, but the Carrow Road faithful didn’t get to lament that miss for long. A minute later, Robert Snodgrass won a free kick 20 yards from goal and made the most of it himself, curling a shot around the wall to easily beat Jaaskelainen, who was extremely slow to react.

In stoppage time, with West Ham pushing for an equalizer, Leroy Fer sealed the result for his side with a brilliant individual goal, beating two defenders on a powerful run forward before beating Jaaskelainen low and to the far post from the edge of the box.

Norwich have only won twice all season, and are now the bottom three on just eight points. West Ham are only two points better off, though can at least take hope from the history books, having not lost to Norwich since 1994. Ominously, that season the Canaries were relegated into the second division.

Norwich injuries and suspensions

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee), Fernando Torres (leg), Ryan Bertrand (knock). In doubt: None.

Liverpool injuries and suspensions

Out: Iago Aspas (thigh), Sebastián Coates (knee), José Enrique (knee). In doubt: Steven Gerrard (hip).

• Hi Haters. It’s me, Neymar.

• Chelsea’s striker conundrum has been solved

Whoever devised this week’s Premier League schedule should be haled into court and made to face charges of cruel and unusual punishment. The Geneva Conventions prohibit torture, after all.

Villa Park; Saturday, 15:00 GMT/10:00 AM ET