Brighton bring Arsenal’s winning run to an abrupt end as Tottenham remain winless

Arsenal’s perfect start to their Premier League title defence ended with a 3-0 defeat by Brighton, while Tottenham remain without a victory after losing 3-2 to Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta’s side had won all seven of their matches in every competition this season before travelling to the south coast, but Brighton extended their own unbeaten beginning to the campaign with a convincing performance.

Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres all scored as Fabian Hurzeler’s team exposed an Arsenal defence that had appeared almost impossible to breach.

The result means Arsenal have now lost at the Amex in each of the past three seasons. Liverpool and Manchester City suffered the same fate in the previous two campaigns.

Brighton carried confidence into the game after becoming the first side in 50 years to recover from two goals down and beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the League Cup during midweek.

They started aggressively and took the lead in the 31st minute when Gross’ shot struck the inside of the post on its way into the net.

Arsenal again conceded after leaving too much room around the edge of their penalty area. Kostoulas took advantage shortly before half-time, choosing his finish carefully to beat David Raya.

Any prospect of an Arsenal revival disappeared after the interval. On the hour, Andres was left unmarked inside the six-yard box and headed in Gross’ corner to complete Brighton’s 16th goal in five league matches.

It was Arsenal’s heaviest defeat in any competition since April 2023.

Tottenham suffer another setback

Tottenham also endured a difficult afternoon and will spend the three-week international break in the relegation zone.

Spurs had failed to score in their previous four matches, and their wait for a goal finally ended only after Villa had established a 3-0 advantage.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made several important saves to keep his side in contention before Johan Manzambi put the visitors ahead late in the first half.

Nicolas Jackson then capitalised on poor Tottenham defending to score a second, before Emi Buendia produced an excellent strike to give Villa their first league victory of the season.

Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scored for Tottenham, but the goals came too late to prevent defeat.

“We played well in the first half, we didn’t score, but [we are] too fragile,” said Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.

“The moment when we have to defend, we have to defend compact. The leaders have to be leaders and lead the team.”

Elsewhere, Newcastle ended newly promoted Hull’s unbeaten start with two goals in the opening seven minutes from Joe Willock and Lewis Hall in a 2-1 victory.

Konstantinos Tzolakis saved Yoane Wissa’s penalty before half-time, but Hull threatened a tense finish when Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back.

Everton climbed to fifth by maintaining their unbeaten start with a 1-0 win over 10-man Ipswich. Thierno Barry scored the only goal, while another effort was disallowed by VAR before Abdul Fatawu was sent off for diving after receiving a second yellow card.

Manchester City can move three points clear at the top when they host Sunderland, while Manchester United visit Fulham on Sunday as they seek to ease the pressure on manager Michael Carrick.