Arsenal and City Tied at League Top After Villa Upset
Nicolas Jackson's two goals ended Manchester City's unbeaten run, while Arsenal capitalized on the opportunity to draw level on 21 points.
By John Ferrari ·
Manchester City and Arsenal are now tied at the top of the Premier League standings after a chaotic weekend of results. The two leaders both finished with 21 points following eight matches, erasing the gap that separated them before Saturday's games. The shift in the title race happened because City dropped their first points of the season while Arsenal secured a win at home.
Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in heavy rain. The match opened quickly with a set piece. Martin Odegaard delivered a corner that Jordan Pickford initially saved, but Ezri Konsa finished the rebound from a yard out in the seventh minute. This goal marked Arsenal's first from a set piece since May, breaking a 13 game drought. Ben White and Gabriel combined for the second goal in the 68th minute, with White crossing from his 200th club appearance and Gabriel heading in on his 200th league match.
City fell to a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, ending their unbeaten start to the campaign. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for the hosts. He opened the scoring in the sixth minute after John McGinn stole the ball from Marc Guehi and set him up. Erling Haaland pulled City level just after halftime by heading in a free kick from Iliman Ndiaye. Jackson restored Villa's lead on the hour, finishing a cutback from Ibrahim Mbaye and beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Villa victory gave manager Unai Emery his first home league win of the season and his third consecutive win over City. The team climbed to sixth place with 11 points. Jackson acknowledged the financial uncertainty surrounding his rivals, noting that the club is working game by game after an independent commission found 114 breaches of financial rules. City has denied wrongdoing and is currently appealing the decision.
Elsewhere in the division, Tottenham Hotspur continued their strong away record by beating Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. It was their second league win at that venue in 36 years. Mike Penders, making his first league start, punched a corner into his own net in the 77th minute. Cole Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute after a second yellow card. Mathys Tel sealed the victory with a low finish in the 87th minute.
Fulham also found success, defeating Coventry City 1-0. Oscar Bobb scored in the 80th minute by curling the ball into the far corner. The result moved Fulham to 13th place, while Coventry remains in 19th.
