Arsenal pass Aston Villa test, Tottenham sink Everton 4-0

Arsenal passed an early test of their Premier League title credentials with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa, while Manchester United suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

Erling Haaland’s hat-trick fired champions Manchester City to the top of the table with a 4-1 win over Ipswich, while Tottenham thrashed Everton 4-0.

Arsenal’s two defeats to Villa last season cost them a first league title in 20 years. The Gunners gained revenge in Birmingham but needed a stunning save from David Raya to prevent Ollie Watkins from heading Villa in front.

Leandro Trossard came off the bench to make the breakthrough with a composed finish on 67 minutes.

Thomas Partey then made sure of the victory with a low effort that Emiliano Martinez should have kept out.

Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder #05 Thomas Partey (C) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on August 24, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Arsenal have finished second to City in each of the past two seasons and seem set to battle it out for the title once more.

Tottenham Sink Everton

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma got back in favour with boss Ange Postecoglou as his superb strike opened the floodgates against Everton. Postecoglou picked Bissouma following a one-game suspension for posting a social media video that showed him inhaling nitrous oxide.

“You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?” Postecoglou had said of Bissouma’s return.

The Mali international made the most of his reprieve in the 14th minute, lashing home from the edge of the area for his first league goal for Tottenham in his 52nd appearance.

Son Heung-min doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 25th minute, forcing Jordan Pickford into an embarrassing mistake as the Everton ‘keeper was robbed by the South Korean for a simple finish.

Cristian Romero headed Tottenham’s third in the 71st minute, and Son bagged his second with a clinical finish six minutes later.

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui earned the first win of his reign as second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sealed a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Alex Iwobi’s 70th-minute goal clinched Fulham’s 2-1 win against Leicester at Craven Cottage, after Emile Smith Rowe’s first-half opener for the hosts was cancelled out by Wout Faes.

Nottingham Forest won 1-0 at Southampton thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s 70th-minute strike.

AFP