Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Oct 25: Arsenal moved level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after securing a 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, capitalising on City's first league defeat of the season.
City suffered a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa earlier in the day, allowing Arsenal to close the three-point gap. Both sides now have 21 points after eight matches, setting up a closely contested title race.
Arsenal took the lead in the seventh minute when Ezri Konsa bundled the ball into the net from close range after Martin Odegaard's corner caused confusion in the Everton defence. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford initially kept out the danger, but Everton failed to clear the ball.
The goal was Arsenal's first from a set piece since May, ending a run of 13 matches across all competitions without scoring from one.
Ben White marked his 200th appearance for Arsenal by providing the cross for the second goal in the 68th minute. Gabriel rose at the far post to head home, scoring on his 200th Premier League appearance.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's side held on comfortably despite the torrential rain, while Everton remained ninth in the standings.
At Villa Park, Aston Villa secured their first home league victory of the season as Nicolas Jackson scored twice to end Manchester City's unbeaten start. The win lifted Villa to sixth place with 11 points and marked their third consecutive league victory over City.
Villa took the lead in the sixth minute after a mistake by City defender Marc Guehi allowed captain John McGinn to set up Jackson, who finished into the bottom corner.
City equalised shortly after half-time when Erling Haaland headed home Iliman Ndiaye's clipped free-kick cross. However, Jackson restored Villa's lead in the 60th minute, finishing a cutback from Ibrahim Mbaye with a shot that slipped beneath goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City have also been dealing with an off-field financial case involving alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The club has denied wrongdoing and appealed the findings of an independent commission.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur recorded a significant 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, earning only their second league win at the ground in 36 years.
Spurs took the lead in the 77th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders punched a corner into his own net during his first league start.
Chelsea were reduced to 10 men three minutes later after Cole Palmer received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher.
Mathys Tel sealed Tottenham's victory in the 87th minute, collecting the ball inside his own half before making a powerful run down the left and firing a low shot into the bottom corner. The result lifted Tottenham to 12th place.
In another match, Fulham defeated Coventry City 1-0, securing their second league win of the season. Oscar Bobb scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute, cutting into the penalty area and curling a superb finish into the far corner.
Fulham moved to 13th in the standings, while Coventry remained 19th.