Aston Villa Defeat Halts City Run as Arsenal Wins to Level Premier League Top
Nicolas Jackson scored twice to end Manchester City's unbeaten season, while Ezri Konsa and Gabriel gave Arsenal a 2-0 victory over Everton to tie both clubs on 21 points.
By Zanele Khumalo ·
Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, handing the league leaders their first loss of the season and erasing their three-point advantage over Arsenal. The result placed both top teams on 21 points after eight matches, creating a dead heat at the summit of the Premier League standings.
Manchester City had entered the weekend with an unbeaten record, but that streak ended at Villa Park. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for the home side. His first goal came in the sixth minute after Marc Guehi's heavy touch allowed captain John McGinn to set up the striker. Erling Haaland restored parity for the visitors shortly after halftime by heading in a free kick delivered by Iliman Ndiaye. Jackson secured the victory in the 60th minute, finishing a cutback from Ibrahim Mbaye with a shot that went under goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The defeat marked the third consecutive league victory for Villa over City. Unai Emery's team moved up to sixth place with 11 points, securing their first home league win of the season.
Arsenal capitalized on the result in their own match. They defeated Everton 2-0 in heavy rain at the Emirates Stadium. Martin Odegaard's corner led to the opening goal in the seventh minute. Jordan Pickford stopped the initial effort, but Ezri Konsa bundled the rebound in from close range. It was Konsa's first goal for the club and Arsenal's first set-piece goal in 13 games.
The second goal arrived in the 68th minute, combining milestones for two players. Ben White, appearing in his 200th match for Arsenal, crossed to the far post where Gabriel headed home on his 200th Premier League appearance.
City faces off-field complications as it awaits the outcome of an appeal against an independent commission's finding of 114 breaches of financial rules. The club has denied wrongdoing. Jackson told TNT Sports, "It's just the beginning; we're trying to work game by game."
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. It was only their second league win at that ground in 36 years. Cole Palmer received a second yellow card in the 80th minute. Mathys Tel scored the final goal in the 87th minute, running down the left flank and finishing low into the bottom corner.
Source: Al Jazeera
