SOCCER
Arsenal’s Brighton defeat gives Manchester City chance to pull clear
Arsenal’s 3–0 loss leaves City able to build a three-point lead on Sunday. Tottenham remain winless after five league matches.
Manchester City can move three points clear at the top of the Premier League after Arsenal’s perfect start ended with a 3–0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday, September 19.
City lead on goal difference with 12 points from four matches and host Sunderland on Sunday. Defending champions Arsenal have the same total from five games. Brighton moved third with 10 points, two behind the leaders.
Pascal Gross opened the scoring in the 31st minute, and Charalampos Kostoulas doubled Brighton’s lead before halftime. Chema Andrés headed in Gross’s corner in the 57th minute to complete the scoring.
“We have to make sure we learn the lesson because this can’t happen again,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said afterward.
Arsenal had conceded only once in their opening four league matches. Brighton finished Saturday as the division’s leading scorers, with 16 goals from five games.
Brentford were fourth on nine points after Friday’s 3–0 win over Chelsea extended their unbeaten start. Everton also have nine points and sit fifth on goal difference following a 1–0 victory over Ipswich.
Thierno Barry scored Everton’s winner. Newcastle beat Hull 2–1, with goals from Joe Willock and Lewis Hall ending the visitors’ unbeaten start.
Tottenham remain winless after losing 3–2 at home to Aston Villa. Spurs finished Saturday in 19th place with two points from five matches. Villa’s first league victory lifted them to 15th on four points.
Villa led 3–0 before Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scored late for Tottenham. Spurs had failed to score in their opening four league games.
Coventry earned their first Premier League win since April 2001 by beating Nottingham Forest 1–0. Jay Dasilva scored after the promoted club had opened its return with four defeats without a goal. Coventry moved to 18th with three points, above Tottenham and Fulham.
Sunday’s programme includes Liverpool’s visit to Bournemouth. Liverpool are unbeaten but have drawn three of their opening four league games, leaving them on six points. Bournemouth are still seeking their first league victory.
Manchester United travel to Fulham, while Leeds host Crystal Palace in Sunday’s other matches.
