Premier League Sunday: Utd Beat Liverpool, Arsenal & City Draw, Spurs & Toon Win

The pick of the Premier League fixtures fell on Sunday this week, with last season's top five on the menu and a couple of seriously meaty dishes to take down.

The action started at Anfield, where Liverpool entertained bitter north-west rivals Manchester United in an emotionally charged game that began with tributes to the 96 people who died at Hillsborough, 23 years ago.

From there it was on to the three 4 p.m. kickoffs (U.K. time), which saw Spurs host London rivals QPR, Newcastle entertain Norwich, and champions Manchester City up against Arsenal.

Here's what happened...

Hillsborough Remembered

This was Liverpool's first home match since a new report finally placed blame on police for the deaths of 96 fans at Hillsborough in 1989.

The occasion was marked with floral tributes outside the ground. Inside the stadium, fans held aloft cards to spell out "The Truth" and "Justice," then joined in a rousing version of Liverpool's anthem, '"You'll Never Walk Alone."

Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton presented a wreath to Liverpool hero Ian Rush, and the two captains on the day—Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs—released 96 balloons into the air before kickoff.

The tributes appeared to be observed respectfully by all in the ground.

That said, the BBC reports some United fans chanted inappropriate songs after the final whistle.

United (somehow) Beat 10-Man Liverpool

Liverpool were the better side at Anfield. They played with more fluency, offered more purpose going forward and had more efforts on goal—14 to United's eight.

And that was still the case for the hour or so they played without Jonjo Shelvey, who was given a straight red card for a reckless lunge at Jonny Evans.

Did he deserve to walk? To the letter of the law, yes. But, as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers argued afterward, there was a case for Evans being sent off as well.

Said Rodgers, as per BBC:

"

If Jonjo is booked or sent off for both feet leaving the ground, then Jonny Evans has got to go as well.

It is a tackle both players have to go for, but the Liverpool player then can't get sent off and the Manchester United player stays on the field.

"

Despite their numerical disadvantage, it was Liverpool that scored first through Steven Gerrard at the start of the second half.

United needed something special to get back into the game, and it arrived through Rafael's fine shot soon after—the Brazilian beating Pepe Reina with an inch-perfect shot on the angle.

The goal should have galvanised the visitors, but Liverpool remained in the ascendancy and had good chances to retake the lead.

They didn't take them, however, and it was left to Robin van Persie to steal victory for United when he converted from the penalty spot on 81 minutes following a foul on Antonio Valencia by Glen Johnson.

File this one under "snatch and grab."

Arsenal Fight Back at City

Arsenal and Manchester City maintained their unbeaten starts to the new Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at The Etihad.

Joleon Lescott headed home to put the champions ahead on 40 minutes, but Arsenal rescued a point through Laurent Koscielny's close-range finish later on.

Most agreed Arsene Wenger's team were thoroughly deserving of the draw, having outplayed City for periods and created a host of chances.

Here's B/R's Michael Cummings with his reaction on Twitter:

"

Have to admit I didn't think Arsenal could pull level. Glad to be wrong. This team is really, really likeable.

— Michael Cummings (@MikeCummings37) September 23, 2012"

Here's what City manager Roberto Mancini had to say afterward, as per BBC:

"

This year we have one problem—we' don't close the game... We had three or four chances to score the second goal and we didn't score.

"

City are still without a clean sheet this season and have been some way from their scintillating best in attack.

Ba on Target Again as Toon Win

Demba Ba's goal settled the clash between Newcastle and Norwich, as the Senegalese striker took his season total to four in five games with a composed finish on 19 minutes.

The Guardian hailed Hatem Ben Arfa as Newcastle's man of the match, however, and it was the midfielder who laid on the chance, adding an assist to his two goals this season.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew bemoaned his team's inability to close the game out, but joined in the praise for Ben Arfa—a man who, ironically, was signed by Norwich manager Chris Hughton during his time with the Toon.

"We got a bit nervous second half and lost our ambition," said Pardew, as per The Guardian. "But we're grinding results out and Hatem's really at the top of his game."

Dempsey Starts as Spurs Come Back to Beat QPR

Clint Dempsey made his first Premier League start for Tottenham as they fought back to beat London rivals QPR at White Hart Lane.

Andre Villas-Boas' team went behind to a goal from former player Bobby Zamora on 33 minutes, but equalized through an Alejandro Faurlin goal and won the game when Jermain Defoe reacted quickest when Gareth Bale's shot cannoned against the crossbar.

Spurs were—by all accounts—far from convincing, however. QPR enjoyed 57 percent of possession, and their manager Mark Hughes was left bemused by the result.

Said Hughes, as per BBC Sport:

"

We are scratching our heads somewhat to understand why we didn't get anything out of the game, because the manner of our performance, particularly in the first half, was very good.

We came here and took the game to Tottenham, dominated the first 45 minutes. and we were 1-0 to the good. In the second half they had to rejig to get back into the game, we gave them a helping hand with the own goal and then they got the second.

"

Spurs fans will be happy with the win, but AVB is clearly some way from winning them over.

"

Tottenham 0-1 QPR - Spurs are booed off the pitch by their own fans after the half-time whistle blows. bit.ly/OSFHMU #THFC #QPR

— Sky Sports Mobile (@SkySportsMobile) September 23, 2012"