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Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start ended with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, allowing Arsenal to draw level on 21 points after beating Everton 2-0.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, top, and Gabriel celebrate second goal scoring second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton in London, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season came to an end on Saturday as Aston Villa secured a 2-1 victory at Villa Park. The defeat allowed Arsenal to draw level with City on 21 points after Mikel Arteta’s side registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Everton.
City manager Enzo Maresca had made history by becoming the first manager to win his opening seven Premier League matches at a new club. However, he was unable to overcome City’s struggles at Villa Park, where they have now suffered defeats in four consecutive seasons.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Unai Emery’s side, while Erling Haaland briefly restored parity for the visitors in the second half. City dominated possession for significant periods but failed to make their superiority count in front of goal.
“We lost because we probably are not being clinical enough in their box,” Maresca said after the defeat.
Villa have undergone significant changes since winning the Europa League last season, with several high-profile departures during the transfer window. However, Emery has quickly integrated his new signings, with Jackson emerging as a key figure after a difficult spell at Chelsea.
The Senegalese forward capitalised on an error by Marc Guehi to put Villa ahead in the sixth minute. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki then produced a series of impressive saves to keep City at bay before Haaland headed home his 13th goal in 10 games this season to equalise.
Villa responded quickly, though, as Jackson completed his brace on the hour mark with a low effort that Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to stop.
“A fantastic day to share with our supporters in Villa Park,” Emery said. “We felt that this is our fortress and the energy the supporters gave us was really fantastic.”
Arsenal close gap on City
Arsenal took full advantage of City’s slip-up with a 2-0 victory over Everton to reach 21 points from eight matches.
Without Bukayo Saka, who faces an extended spell on the sidelines due to a thigh injury, the Gunners relied on their strength from set-pieces to secure all three points.
Ezri Konsa opened the scoring in the seventh minute, bundling the ball home after Everton failed to clear a corner. Fellow centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes then doubled Arsenal’s advantage midway through the second half to seal a routine win for Arteta’s men.
Elsewhere, Fulham eased the pressure on manager Alvaro Arbeloa with a 1-0 victory away at Coventry. Oscar Bobb scored an individual goal to secure a second successive win, lifting the Cottagers out of the relegation zone and into 12th place.
Tottenham were also looking to move clear of the bottom three ahead of their evening clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where they have struggled historically.
Attention will turn to Manchester United manager Michael Carrick on Sunday when his side face Bournemouth. United’s seven-game winless run has raised questions over Carrick’s future, just months after he was handed a two-year contract following a successful interim spell at the end of last season.
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Ask News18Arsenal drew level with Manchester City on 21 points by securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Everton, capitalizing on City’s defeat.
Ask News18October 24, 2026, 10:03 pm IST
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