Premier League, Week 15: Swansea, Hull draw

The Tigers pressed even with their early goal and could have doubled their lead, but their final ball and finishing betrayed them for much of the rest of the first half. That almost came back to haunt them after the break, as the Swans grabbed the upperhand.

Down a goal, Swansea sent men forward as they chased an equalizer in the beginning of the second half, but it didn’t look like a goal would come. They were entirely uncreative, failing to do anything more than hit hopeful crosses into the box as their more elegant attempts at creating opportunities failed, but a set piece finally delivered them the goals they desired.

Swansea City injuries and suspensions

Everton helped make it a great week in the Premier League for their rivals Liverpool as they added Arsenal to the list of top teams dropping points this weekend after late goals from either side saw a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

After a tense and nervy game where both sides had gone close, Mesut Ozil appeared to snatch a late winner for the hosts before Gerard Deulofeu struck back instantly for Everton.

Rene Muelensteen is apparently the tonic that Fulham needed. After a narrow defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in his first game in charge, the new manager masterminded an emphatic win against Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, grabbing a vital three points and, perhaps more importantly, proving that his team’s actually capable of competing at the top level.

Fulham have barely looked like they were playing the same sport as most of their opponents this season, but the first half marked a dramatic turnaround. The visitors were coming off an impressive win against St. Mary’s and were also boosted by the return of Christian Benteke -- they were expected to cause Maarten Stekelenburg problems and duly did so. But nobody was anticipating the Cottagers to reply so vigourously.

Arsenal injuries and suspensions

Everton injuries and suspensions

Fulham injuries and suspensions

Tottenham wasted chance after chance but were ultimately saved by a John O’Shea own goal as they escaped the Stadium of Light with the full three points.

Finally in the 37th minute, a goal!

There were a few more half-chances for Palace — they were controversially denied a goal in the 70th minute off a goal-line scramble where they thought the ball crossed the line — but they didn’t need another goal with their defense hanging on to a clean sheet.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Moxey (Mariappa 25’), Gabbidon, Delaney, Ward, Bannan (O’Keefe 84’), Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Puncheon, Chamakh, Jerome

Best chance in the opening ten minutes of the match came from West Ham, despite Liverpool being the better of the two sides. In the 9th minute Mohamed Diame curled a cross into the center of the Liverpool area where Modibo Maíga had snuck behind his defender. But Maíga couldn’t connect cleanly with the ball and failed to get a good shot on frame.

Less than a minute later West Ham’s captain Kevin Nolan was shown a straight red for a needless and stupid challenge against Jordan Henderson. For reasons known only to Nolan, he charged down Henderson from behind and raked his studs on the back of his leg.

Schurrle was looking in fine form, and almost helped create the opener when he robbed Charlie Adam in midfield and drove towards the box, teeing up Ramires, but the Brazilian could only curl a tame effort well over the bar with the opportunity.

After half-time, Stoke were in no mood to sit on their lead, and remarkably took the lead thanks to Stephen Ireland, collecting the energetic Jon Walters’ pass and firing in an excellent finish off the post which beat Cech with ease.

West Bromwich Albion’s struggles continue. Having been beaten by Manchester City in midweek -- an excusable hiccup -- the Baggies were undone by another City in a game they should really have won. They dominated against Norwich, putting them on the back foot all match, but goals in each half meant a 2-0 loss that’s sure to leave Steve Clarke ruing his luck.

The Canaries grabbed the lead against the run of play. West Brom had done all of the attacking, but a lucky bounce put them behind as Leroy Fer’s through ball taking a nick of Gareth McCauley and thus falling perfectly for Gary Hooper. The former Celtic man was in plenty of space just outside the box, and his first-time shot flashed across Boaz Myhill and into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

The Saints responded well and started to control possession in City’s half not long after the goal, but it took a piece of individual brilliance for them to equalize. Pablo Dani Osvaldo came up with a goal of the season candidate in the 42nd minute, beating a large cluster of City defenders before curling a stunning finish around Costel Pantilimon. He made multiple cutback moves to keep the ball while being crowded and somehow got the ball up and down, over the hand of the 6’6” Pantmilion and into the net from a narrow angle on the left flank.

Southampton always looked more likely to find a winner in the second half, but never produced one. Osvaldo had the best chance of the half in the 53rd minute off a rebound after Jay Rodriguez had a shot saved, but he put his effort well over the bar. Despite having most of the possession and plenty of set piece chances, the Saints had to settle for a draw.

Old Trafford is officially in crisis mode. After suffering a shocking home loss to Everton in midweek, Manchester United were expected to bounce back against Newcastle. Despite the return of Robin van Persie, they did no such thing, flattering to deceive for the first hour before going behind to a fine strike by Yohan Cabaye, a blow from which they simply could not recover.

The first half was mostly quiet. The hosts had trouble moving the ball through the middle -- Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley were outnumbered by Newcastle’s trio of Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote and Vernon Anita -- and as a result their centre forwards were distinctly uninvolved. Nani and Adnan Januzaj were brighter sparks, but neither did enough to trouble Tim Krul in goal.

Old Trafford; Saturday, 12:45 GMT/7:45 AM ET

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

Sunderland injuries and suspensions

Southampton injuries and suspensions

Manchester United injuries and suspensions