Arsenal’s perfect start to the Premier League season ended dramatically on Saturday.
Brighton & Hove Albion defeated the defending champions 3-0 at the Amex Stadium.
The result handed Arsenal their first defeat of the season. It also ended their winning run across all competitions.
Brighton Dominate Arsenal
Arsenal entered the match in strong form. They had won their opening four Premier League matches and seven games across all competitions.
Brighton, however, produced a commanding performance.
Pascal Gross opened the scoring in the 31st minute. His low shot went in off the inside of the post.
Charalampos Kostoulas doubled Brighton’s lead just before half-time.
Arsenal struggled to respond after the break.
Chema Andres scored Brighton’s third goal in the 57th minute with a close-range header.
Arsenal controlled 60 percent of possession but managed only two shots on target. Brighton finished with five shots on target.
The defeat was Arsenal’s first of the campaign and left them second in the Premier League standings on 12 points. Brighton moved into third place with 10 points.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his team did not perform at its usual level and said Brighton deserved the victory.
Tottenham Lose Again
Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start also continued.
Aston Villa defeated Spurs 3-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving the London club without a Premier League win after five matches.
Johan Manzambi gave Villa the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Nicolas Jackson doubled the advantage in the 67th minute.
Emi Buendia then scored a stunning third goal in the 79th minute.
Tottenham finally found the net late in the match.
Conor Gallagher scored in the 86th minute before Jan Paul van Hecke added another goal deep into stoppage time.
The comeback was not enough, and Villa secured their first league victory of the season.
Tottenham now sit in the relegation zone with two points from five matches.
Newcastle and Everton Secure Wins
Newcastle United ended Hull City’s unbeaten league start with a 2-1 victory.
Joe Willock and Lewis Hall scored within the opening seven minutes.
Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back for Hull, but Newcastle held on for three points.
Everton also maintained their unbeaten start.
Thierno Barry scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
The result moved Everton into fifth place in the Premier League table.
