Rainy win puts Arsenal level with City

Arsenal and Manchester City now sit level with 21 points each after eight matches. The equality was secured on a rainy Saturday in north London, where Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. The result came simultaneously with Manchester City's first league defeat of the season.

The path to this tie began with a shock result at Villa Park. Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, beat Manchester City 2-1. This was Villa's first home league victory of the season and their third consecutive win over the champions. Nicolas Jackson scored twice for the visitors. His first goal came in the sixth minute after John McGinn stole the ball from Marc Guehi. His second, in the 60th minute, came from a cutback by Ibrahim Mbaye. Erling Haaland equalized for City with a header from a free kick by Iliman Ndiaye just after halftime.

Arsenal capitalized on the points drop immediately. The match in London started with heavy rain, which slowed the early play. Martin Odegaard delivered a corner in the seventh minute. Jordan Pickford, the England goalkeeper, saved the initial shot, but the ball remained live. Ezri Konsa tapped it in from close range. This goal marked Konsa's first for the club and Arsenal's first set-piece goal in 13 games.

"We are champions and to be champions you've got to win games consistently," Konsa said. "This is our home, and we want to win as many games here as possible."

The second goal arrived in the 68th minute, combining two milestone appearances. Ben White, playing his 200th game for Arsenal, crossed the ball to the far post. Gabriel, on his 200th Premier League appearance, headed the ball into the net. Everton, now in ninth place, conceded both goals from crosses.

Manchester City remains under financial scrutiny. An independent commission found the club committed 114 breaches of financial rules. City is currently appealing that decision and has denied wrongdoing. Jackson, reflecting on his team's performance, told TNT Sports, "It's just the beginning; we're trying to work game by game."

Elsewhere in the standings, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The win, Spurs' second in 36 years at that venue, lifted them to 12th. Cole Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute, and Mathys Tel scored the winner in the 87th. Fulham secured a 1-0 win over Coventry City, with Oscar Bobb scoring in the 80th minute to move Fulham to 13th.