LONDON: Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, ending the champions’ perfect Premier League start and allowing Arsenal to draw level at the top.
Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton took them to 21 points alongside City, who remain ahead on goal difference. Liverpool climbed into the top four after beating Brighton 2-0 at Anfield.
Jackson makes City pay
Jackson opened the scoring after six minutes at Villa Park. A loose touch from Marc Guéhi gave John McGinn the opportunity to release the Senegal international, who finished to put the hosts ahead.
City responded in the 52nd minute when Erling Haaland headed home from close range following a cross from Jackson’s Senegal teammate, Iliman Ndiaye. Ndiaye had earlier struck the post.
Villa regained the lead on the hour through another Senegalese combination. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye delivered a cross beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Jackson finished first time.
According to Sky Sports, Jackson has now scored six goals in his past six matches.
Villa won despite having just 36% of possession and registering two shots on target to City’s seven. It was their first home league victory of the season and City’s first Premier League defeat under Enzo Maresca.
“We lost because we were not being clinical enough in their box,” Maresca said.
Arsenal capitalise as Liverpool climb
Arsenal took advantage of City’s slip with a comfortable win at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyökeres put the hosts ahead after seven minutes before Gabriel headed in the second in the 68th.
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At Anfield, Liverpool settled their match against Brighton with two goals in four first-half minutes.
Florian Wirtz’s shot deflected in off Pascal Gross in the 17th minute. Alexander Isak then finished from Bradley Barcola’s cut-back for his sixth league goal of the season, extending his scoring run to three consecutive league matches.
Brighton remain third on 16 points, one ahead of Liverpool.
Tottenham strike late at Chelsea
Tottenham scored twice in the closing stages to beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
The breakthrough came in the 77th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders turned a Matheus Fernandes corner into his own net.
Chelsea’s task became harder shortly afterwards when Cole Palmer received a second yellow card. Mathys Tel sealed the result in the 87th minute, carrying the ball from inside his own half before finishing.
Egypt forward Omar Marmoush started up front for Spurs but was replaced after 65 minutes without scoring. Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus also threatened down the right, although he could not find the net.
Bournemouth deepen United’s troubles
Manchester United’s difficult start continued with a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.
Rayan opened the scoring in the 38th minute, Marcus Tavernier added a second five minutes later, and Evanilson completed the scoring in the 71st.
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United started Cameroon internationals Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba alongside Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, but could not turn their 62% share of possession into a goal.
The defeat leaves United 16th with seven points from eight matches.
Ouattara earns Brentford a point
Burkina Faso forward Dango Ouattara rescued a point for Brentford in a 1-1 draw at Hull City.
Oli McBurnie put Hull ahead in the 24th minute before Ouattara equalised in the 63rd.
Algeria’s Mohamed Belloumi and Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi started for Hull, while Mali’s Mamadou Sangaré featured in Brentford’s midfield.
Elsewhere, Newcastle won 2-0 at Crystal Palace through early second-half goals from William Osula and Harvey Barnes. DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa came on in the 77th minute.
Fulham beat Coventry 1-0 thanks to Oscar Bobb’s 80th-minute winner, with Nigeria internationals Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey both starting.
Ipswich and Nottingham Forest drew 1-1, with Neco Williams scoring for Forest and Julio Enciso replying for the hosts. Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu started for Ipswich.
Sunderland remain bottom with five points after a goalless draw against Leeds. DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki and Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava both started for Sunderland.
Leaders face testing fixtures
City host third-placed Brighton on Saturday, while Arsenal travel to Liverpool on Sunday, giving both title contenders another demanding test after a weekend that brought them level on points.
