Arsenal capitalise on Manchester City defeat to reach Premier League summit

Arsenal moved level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after beating Everton 2-0 at Emirates Stadium, taking advantage of City’s first defeat of the season at Aston Villa.

City’s 2-1 loss in Birmingham ended their perfect league record and left the way clear for Mikel Arteta’s side to close the three-point gap. Both clubs now have 21 points after eight games.

The title race is already taking shape as a closely contested one, although City’s campaign is being played under the shadow of an off-field financial case.

Arsenal took the lead in the seventh minute after Martin Odegaard’s corner created confusion in the Everton penalty area. Jordan Pickford prevented the initial threat after the ball was flicked on at the near post, but Everton failed to clear and Ezri Konsa forced the ball home from a yard out.

It was Konsa’s first goal for the club and Arsenal’s first from a set piece since May, ending a run of 13 matches in all competitions without one.

“I’ve come to this stadium for many seasons, I know how tough it is to play against us,” Konsa said. “It’s not surprising to me.

“We are champions and to be champions you’ve got to win games consistently. This is our home and we want to win as many games here as possible.”

Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 68th minute when Ben White, making his 200th appearance for the club, delivered a cross to the far post. Gabriel headed in on his 200th Premier League appearance.

Everton are ninth in the table.

Jackson ends City’s winning run

Aston Villa climbed to sixth on 11 points after recording their first home league win of the season and a third consecutive league victory over Manchester City.

Nicolas Jackson scored both Villa goals, taking advantage of two defensive errors. He opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Marc Guehi’s heavy touch allowed captain John McGinn to win possession and supply the striker, who finished into the bottom corner.

Erling Haaland levelled shortly after half-time, heading in a clipped free-kick cross from Iliman Ndiaye.

Jackson restored Villa’s lead on the hour. Ibrahim Mbaye drove forward on the right before cutting the ball back to his Senegal international team-mate, whose effort went under the diving Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“It was incredible, we got the win which is the most important thing. Man City are a strong team, the league leaders,” Jackson told TNT Sports. “It’s just the beginning, we’re trying to work game by game.”

Manchester City deny wrongdoing in the case involving 114 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules and have appealed against the findings.

Bobb earns Fulham victory

Fulham beat Coventry City 1-0 for their second league win of the season and moved up to 12th, with Coventry 19th.

Oscar Bobb appeared set to be substituted before producing the decisive moment in the 80th minute. He collected possession on the right, moved past Jack Rudoni into the area and curled an excellent finish into the far corner.

Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s late game.