Premier League, Week 8: Daley Blind rescues a point for United

Here’s a look at the matches you can catch on TV this week. Strangely, there is no late Saturday game, so there are fewer games you can catch. Only four this week. FOUR! Come on, England.

Saturday, 7:45 a.m. ET. TV: NBCSN (U.S.), TSN (Canada), BT Sport 1 (U.K.)

United got the ball into the West Brom penalty area plenty of times between then and the final whistle, but the Baggies defended well -- if a bit frantically -- at the end to hang on to a point.

West Bromwich Albion: Myhill, Pocognoli, Lescott, Dawson, Wisdom, Brunt, Gardner, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon (Mulumbu 86’), Berahino

That is an excellent tweet and, considering Fellaini had failed to scored in his first 23 matches with the Red Devils -- while also proving himself borderline useless in most other things -- it made sense.

But then Fellaini did this.

With Wayne Rooney serving the second game of a three-match ban for a red card, Robin van Persie gets the start for United, despite the fact he also played two games during the international break for the Netherlands. Apparently Van Gaal’s decision was based on RVP getting back to the club sooner than Falcao.

Falcao missed this summer’s World Cup with a knee injury but has slowly been rounding back into form over the past few weeks. He played in both of Colombia’s matches during the most recent international break.

West Brom have started the season in average fashion with two wins against two draws and three losses. There sitting 14th in the table in a pack of four clubs with eight points who are all just above the drop zone. As much as the Baggies could use a win, history is not on their side as United have never lost to West Brom at the Hawthornes in seven Premier League meetings.

Key Players: The United defense

Despite the nature of those subs, it was Stoke who scored the next goal, and their three substitutes were the three key components. Cameron intercepted a bad pass from Rangel and started an attack that featured multiple passes around the box before the ball was worked wide to Assaidi. He crossed to the back post, where Walters was waiting to head in.

Swansea had a great chance to score an equalizer in the 90th minute when Steven Nzonzi committed a foul 25 yards from goal, gifting the visitors a dangerous free kick opportunity. Ki got the ball up over the wall, but couldn’t beat Begovic. Wilfried Bony had a late chance as well, but mis-hit a shot well wide of the goal in stoppage time. Swansea got one last free kick opportunity in the 95th minute, with Gomis taking it instead of Ki, and he blasted well over the crossbar.

Then Vargas scored his second goal of the game in 92nd minute to make it 2-2

That’s easily one of the craziest finishes to a match you’ll ever see.

Liverpool got more than a little lucky to claim three points at Loftus Road after a thoroughly mediocre display, but a pair of QPR own goals -- one an injury time heartbreaker -- saw last season’s runners-up earn a 3-2 win despite a pair of dramatic late equalisers courtesy of Eduardo Vargas.

The first half was tilted almost entirely in the hosts’ favour. While Liverpool were known last season for their attacking prowess, it singularly failed to materialise in the opening 45 minutes, and it was instead QPR offering most of the threat. They gave notice of their intent early on when Charlie Austin barreled through a Martin Skrtel tackle only to see his effort kept out by the onrushing Simon Mignolet, but that was only the start of Liverpool’s defensive woes.

Someone go give Balo a hug.

(h/t @neilsherwin)

Wilfried Bony arrived in the Premier League with a bang last season, scoring 17 times after making the move from the Eredivisie’s Vitesse. His superb power and hold-up play meant he was valuable in both scoring and creating chances, and the Swans reportedly had to fend off interest from some big clubs in the summer. Alas, he hasn’t been quite as good so far this season, finding the net just once in his opening seven games. Swansea will be hoping he finds his shooting boots again this weekend.

Stoke City injuries and suspensions

If there was ever a truly winnable game for Liverpool, this is it. Anything other than three points for the Reds would be a massive disappointment and likely lead to some head shaking about the direction the club is going.

With Sturridge injured again, Mario Balotelli is the man in the Liverpool attack. We all know he’s more than capable of being a dangerous goal scorer but the spotlight will be shining brightly on the Italian as fans will be demanding big performances from him. How he handles that pressure, how well his teammates are able to support him and provide quality service, will go a long way towards determining how successful the enigmatic striker will be.

And how did they do it?

Big balls, of course.

NOOOO HE HAS PARDEWITIS TOO.

After the equaliser went in, the game settled into a rhythm that would remain unbroken for the rest of the first half. Arsenal generally controlled possession, though Hull remained characteristically solid at the back. They lost goalkeeper Harper to a shoulder injury with five minutes of the half remaining, and the Gunners failed to muster an early test for his replacement, Eldin Jakupović.

After going behind, Arsenal dominated possession for the rest of the game, gradually ratcheting up the pressure on the Tigers. Eventually, into stoppage time, their pressure told. A brilliant jinking run from Sánchez saw him carve straight through the centre of the Hull defence, before laying on a simple finish for Danny Welbeck to poke home. It was a crushing blow for Hull, but they still regrouped to hang on for a point.

The Blues took the lead quickly in stunning fashion, with Oscar curling a perfect free kick into the back of the net in the 8th minute. He had to take from well left of the center of the pitch, around 25 yards out, but had the audacity to curl a shot to the far post that absolutely shocked Julian Speroni, though Oscar’s placement was so perfect that the Palace keeper couldn’t have saved it even if he knew what was coming.

Strangely, Damien Delaney completely lost his cool three minutes after that, immediately erasing Palace’s man advantage. Already on a yellow, he pulled the shirt of Loic Remy and was given a second booking, taking Palace down to 10 men as well.

Not too shabby. Time for goal #2

Nicely done of the penalty, on to goal #3.

Diego Costa is good. He’s really good. He’s adapted to the Premier League like someone sliding into a particularly comfortable jacket that you haven’t worn in awhile. His impact for Chelsea this season has been huge, giving the Blues a consistent goal scorer, a problem that plagued them down the stretch of last season. Most importantly, Costa survived the international break with his hamstring still in tact. It may not be perfect, but it’s not any worse and it won’t keep him from playing. Good for the Blues, bad for Palace.

Key Matchup: Palace central defense vs. Diego Costa

Arsenal have won only twice in the Premier League so far this season, and only once since the opening matchday. Admittedly, they’ve had a pretty tough start to the campaign, but we’re now reaching the stage in the season that they need to start picking up points. If not, Arsène Wenger’s side will be playing catch-up for the Champions League places.

Key player - Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal)

There’s little doubt that City are the favourites heading into the match, despite them having not been perfect so far this season. Though they’re unlikely to keep a clean sheet going off their recent defensive form, their attacking firepower saw them thrash Spurs 11-1 on aggregate last season. Fortunately, manager Pochettino is a famously excellent defensive organiser, and they shouldn’t ship quite as many this time around.

Key player - Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)