Premier League, Week 9: QPR’s forwards impress in Aston Villa win

Queens Park Rangers: Green, Yun, Dunne, Caulker, Isla, Fer (Krancjar 90’), Henry, Sandro, Vargas (Traore 87’), Zamora (Hoilett 63’), Austin

Goals: Austin (17’, 69’)

However, Villa will be eager to bounce back from four straight defeats, with Paul Lambert’s side having shipped 11 goals in that short space of time. Fortunately, they came into this barren spell on the back of winning three of their opening four league games, but they really need to start picking up points again soon, as they’re now just two points clear of the drop zone.

Ron Vlaar was surprisingly one of the best centre-backs at the World Cup this summer, playing an integral role in the Netherlands team that finished third overall. He’s been struggling with injuries in the early part of the domestic season, though he should be available against QPR, where his presence could make all the difference.

When the two teams went into halftime level, it was a pretty fair scoreline, but it would only last until the 53rd minute. That’s when Drogba got free at the near post and was able to redirect a corner kick on goal. Robin van Persie was defending the near post, but couldn’t block it and Drogba was the hero.

Manchester United had the majority of possession, but there weren’t many chances. Chelsea had put their men in defense, content to sit on their one-goal lead and it looked like it would work, but Branislav Ivanovic was sent off in the third minute of extra time and van Persie scored on the ensuing free kick to send the fans at Old Trafford wild.

We have to admit, this early kickoff between Tottenham and Newcastle didn’t seem to have a lot going for it. Two teams not known for their scoring. The visitors already looking to be mired in a relegation fight. To top it off, Newcastle were modeling some truly terrible kits. Blue and green squares? Please.

Over at Turf Moor, Everton and Burnely were battling it out in a high-tempo, end-to-end game, but in London, the match seemed to drag. Spurs were able to pressure the Newcastle defense, but troubling Tim Krul seemed out of the question. The visitors, meanwhile, were ready to shoot from distance.

That move was started by a turnover from Lukaku, who redeemed himself for his error just nine minutes later. At the end of a long spell of possession for Everton, he chested the ball down and passed to Eto’o, who found Naismith, and he turned around and found Lukaku in the box. Mike Duff blocked Lukaku’s initial effort, but the Toffees’ forward dinked a follow-up effort over everyone and into the back of the net.

Ings had a good chance a minute later, but his finish was a summary of Burnley’s day after Lukaku’s goal. Instead of testing Howard, he blazed over from 12 yards.

Manchester United vs. Chelsea may not be the Premier League’s marquee fixture like it was when Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho used to face off against each other, but it could still make United’s season. They’re trying to claw their way back to relevance after an awful campaign, and they’ll move up to 5th place with a win on Sunday (12 p.m. ET, NBC).

If you live in the USA, there are two ways to watch the game online. For most users, the easiest will be NBC Sports Live Extra. That service does require you to be a TV subscriber to NBC Sports Network, but is free for those who do have that channel. Your other option is Univision Deportes En Vivo, which will have a Spanish-language stream.

The early season optimism surrounding Spurs thanks to two opening wins has evaporated as the team has managed just one league win since. Hopes are up just a bit after Spurs 5-1 win in the Europa League and a win over Newcastle could point to Spurs turning a corner. Or not, because it’s Spurs. The one thing not in doubt is that they should be defeating the Magpies at home.

Winning away is something Newcastle haven’t done this season and if that trend continues, chances are Pardew will be once again facing angry fans, protest and who knows what else.

This is a really big game. Maybe it’s not as big of a game as it’s been in the past thanks to Manchester United being average so far this season, but it really matters on several fronts.

For Manchester United, they need to prove they can compete with the top teams in the Premier League. Considering all the money that has been spent and the collection of talent that has been assembled at Old Trafford, the excuses are going to start running out very quickly. United have improved recently, at least in terms of results, enough to move up to sixth place and get within striking distance on 4th. Sunday’s match against the Blues, who are the best team in the league, will be a chance to announce they’re back ... or that they’re good, but nothing special.

The first half was a pretty forgettable affair, with Swansea dominating possession but struggling to break through Leicester’s disciplined defensive ranks. The hosts saw plenty of the ball, but in the congestion of the midfield they failed to find a route through to Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.

That was until a sublime interchange between striker Wilfried Bony and playmaking midfielder Gylfi Sigurðsson with just over 10 minutes of the half remaining, with the former completing a one-two with the latter on the edge of the penalty area before slotting the ball calmly into the Foxes’ net.

That chance was the best opportunity for either team in the first half, though Liverpool had the better of possession and controlled the game ... they just could do anything with the advantage. Hull City deserved plenty of credit though for playing a well organized defense that frustrated Liverpool with aggressive pressing of the ball and those trying to do things with it. It led to plenty of turnovers by the Reds in the final third, thanks to poor touches, interceptions and timely blocks.

As the game dragged on though, Liverpool began to up the tempo and slowly cracks started to form in the Hull City defense.

But nothing was working for the hosts. When Gomez attempted to set up Altidore, the forward was unable to decide if he wanted to send in a shot or a cross -- which obviously led to nothing. Patrick van Aanholt took matters into his own hands, going way wide from distance. At least that last attempt provided a rare moment of interest, what with Szczesny’s wild headed clearance giving the ball directly to the Dutchman.

That was nothing, however, compared to Mannone’s final blooper. He lost control of a rather heavy backpass, but there was no real excuse for his fumbling the ball straight to Alexis’s feet. Mannone then crept along the ground, clawing in a futile attempt to keep out the Chilean’s second tally.

The comedian, and well-known West Ham fan, apparently has full access to Upton Park so after the match, he wandered on down and found Allardyce doing his post-match interview. Having beaten City, Allardyce deserved a kiss, and Brand gave it to him.

Then Brand made his way to the dressing room to hang out with the players because that’s what happens at West Ham, or something. Drake is so jealous.

While City mourned their luck, West Ham took advantage. A quick counter caught the City defense out, although it looked as though Hart had managed to palm away Diafra Sakho’s header before it crossed the line. Thanks to the wonder of goalline technology, however, West Ham had their second goal.

Two minutes later, David Silva finally got the ball in the net for City. The Spaniard jinxed his way past three defenders, then sent in a curving shot that barely evaded Adrian’s outstretched hand.

Leonardo Ulloa burst into the Premier League this season scoring fives goals in his first five matches, helping Leicester get off to a solid start. The past three games have been a totally different story though for the Argentine striker as he’s failed to even generate a shot on goal. A lack of quality service has hindered Ulloa, so the blame isn’t solely on his shoulders, but he’ll still be under the spotlight. The Foxes need to get the ball to Ulloa and give him a chance to do something with it, otherwise their offense will continue to struggle.

Key Matchup: Leicester’s attacking service vs. Swansea’s defense

Manuel Pellegrini has made three changes from last week, but the most important aspect of his lineup is what hasn’t changed: Sergio Agüero remains up top. He’s one of the hottest players in the world right now, and if the shaky West Ham defense wasn’t already feeling a bit nervous, this team sheet will likely do the trick.

Subs: Jaaskelainen, Kouyate, Vaz Te, O’Brien, Poyet, Cole, Nolan

Key player - Eldin Jakupović (Hull City)

For this match, Hull will be without their first- and second-choice goalkeepers, meaning third-choice man Eldin Jakupović will take his place between the sticks. With Liverpool sure to carve out a good few goalscoring chances, the former Swiss international will have to be on top form.

However, they’re unlikely to continue their form beyond Saturday, as the another of the league’s in-form sides, second-placed Manchester City, come to town. The Citizens haven’t looked perfect this season, with their defence in particular looking a weak spot. But there’s no better player in the Premier League at present than Sergio Agüero, and he alone will be enough to have the Hammers’ defenders quaking in their boots.

Key player - Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)