Villa Stuns City, Arsenal Wins Rainy Match To Take Premier League Lead

Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, handing the league leaders their first loss of the season. The result erased Arsenal's three-point advantage after the Gunners beat Everton 2-0 in heavy rain at the Emirates Stadium. Both clubs now sit at 21 points after eight matches.

Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Villa. He opened the scoring in the sixth minute after John McGinn stole the ball from Marc Guehi. Erling Haaland equalized for City shortly after halftime, heading in a free kick from Iliman Ndiaye. Jackson restored the lead in the 60th minute, finishing a cutback from Ibrahim Mbaye under goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Arsenal started faster in north London. A corner from Martin Odegaard found Ezri Konsa, who pushed in a rebound from the near post in the seventh minute. It was Arsenal's first set piece goal since May and Konsa's first for the club. Ben White, playing his 200th game for Arsenal, crossed to the far post in the 68th minute. Gabriel headed home the winner on his 200th Premier League appearance.

City faces an off-field battle as well. An independent commission found 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club is appealing the decision and denies wrongdoing. Jackson told TNT Sports, "It's just the beginning; we're trying to work game by game."

Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. It was Spurs' second league win there in 36 years. Mike Penders, making his first league start for Chelsea, punched a corner into his own net in the 77th minute. Cole Palmer received a second yellow card in the 80th minute after challenging Conor Gallagher. Mathys Tel finished the match in the 87th minute with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Fulham beat Coventry City 1-0 to secure their second league victory of the season. Oscar Bobb curled a shot into the far corner in the 80th minute. Fulham sits 13th in the table, while Coventry is 19th.