Premier League: the best of Sunday's matches - in pictures

West Ham's manager, Sam Allardyce, needs a win to lift his side into the top half of the table, while Aston Villa must triumph if they are to drag themselves out of the relegation zone Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar hooks the ball away from West Ham's Mark Noble in the early stages Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

Villa's Nathan Baker goes in hard for a challenge Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Andreas Weimann spurns a great chance after West Ham's keeper spills Christian Benteke's shot. Weimann had the goal gaping but slid his first-time effort wide of the far post Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Andy Carroll races away from Ciaran Clark as the first half remains goalless. Come the interval, Benteke's shot is the only one that's been on target in the space of 45 minutes. Dire stuff Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

After the break, Villa have the impetus. And when Mark Noble of West Ham fouls Charles N'Zogbia in the box in the 74th minute, a penalty is awarded Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Christian Benteke slots the ball into the bottom corner with nonchalance to give Villa the lead Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Four minutes later, N'Zogbia himself finds the net with a free-kick to put Villa in sight of a precious win ... Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

And though a late deflected goal for West Ham - when Joe Cole's cross loops in off Ashley Westwood - gives the Villa manager Paul Lambert heart palpitations, Villa hold on. Final score: 2-1 Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

Ahead of the 4pm kick-off at Old Trafford, a banner is held aloft on the Stretford End honouring the victims of the Munich air disaster Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho is watching from the stands ahead of his team's clash with United in the Champions League in midweek. He looks quite shocked. Maybe he's just seen the teamsheets - United's line-up is surprisingly strong today with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie both starting Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Nevertheless, is the old man Ryan Giggs who finds the net for the home side early in the game guiding the ball in off the near post with great composure. It's the 23rd consecutive season in which he's scored. Remarkable Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Marouane Fellaini of Everton tries to engineer a route back into the match for the Toffees, who are putting up a decent showing Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Van Persie is at his athletic best Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

... and when he rounds the former United keeper Tim Howard in the 45th minute, he has the chance to give the home side a two-goal advantage going into the break Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

John Heitinga slides in desperately but cannot prevent the Dutchman from finding the net Photograph: Jon Super/AP

If it stays like this, United will have a 12-point lead at the top of the table over Manchester City Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Howard is furious and there's no way back for the visitors in the second half - the closest they come is through Nikica Jelavic's low shot. Final score: 2-0 Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters