Get Guardian on GoogleManchester City‘s perfect start to the Premier League has ended after a loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Former Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson scored a brace – one in each half of the match to give Aston Villa a 2-1 win, their first home win of the season.
Man City came into the tie seeking to equal Liverpool’s 2018/2019 Premier League record of winning their opening eight matches.
The Cityzens were also chasing their first win at Villa Park since December 2021 w, when Bernado Silva and Ruben Diaz gave them a 2-1. win
Aston Villa approached the game with clear intention of maintaining their recent fine form and got the perfect start to unsettle their guests.
John McGinn placed a fine pass towards Nicolas Jackson after Marc Guehi’s loose touch. The Senegalese striker went past Elliott and Anderson before burying the ball into the roof of the net to give Villa the lead after six minutes.
City responded immediately, but Zion Suzuki was alert to save Iliman NDiaye’s goal-bound left-footed curler from the edge of the box.
Rayan Cherki also came close to getting the equaliser as he buried a low drive towards the middle of goal, but Suzuki stepped up to deny the French forward.
Zion Suzuki pulled off another brilliant save as City turned up the heat on the hosts. The Japanese goalkeeper stopped Khusanov’s effort from range to keep Villa’s lead intact.
The hosts survived Man City’s wave of attacks on their defense courtesy of Zion Suzuki as the first half ended 1-0.
Man City resumed their onslaught on Villa, and it was only a matter of time before their defense gave way. Erling Halaand met N’Diaye’s lofted cross with a fine header to restore parity inthe 52nd minute.
Nicolas Jackson put Villa back in the lead on the hour mark from a low drive into the bottom corner off an assist from his countryman Ibrahim Ibaye.
The hosts held on to the lead to the blast of Peter Bank’s final whistle to dash City’s winning start and to record their first Premier League win at Villa Park this season.
Arsenal level City on points
Meanwhile, Arsenal took advantage of City’s loss to go level on points at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners sealed a 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon to extend their unbeaten Premier League home run to six matches.
Ezri Konsa scored his goal in an Arsenal shirt to give the Gunners the lead in the seventh minute. The English defender buried a low drive into the bottom corner of goal off a corner kick.
Gabriel Magalhaes doubled the lead for Arsenal in the 68th minute with a simple header from Ben White’s cross.
The match ended 2-0 as Everton suffered back-to-back losses to two London heavyweights within seven days after losing to Chelsea at home by the same scoreline.
Arsenal remain second on the log but level on points with Man City at the top of the Premier League table after matchday 8.
Fulham snatch late win at Coventry
Fulham sealed a late win over Coventry away from home to record back-to-back wins following last week’s victory over Hull City.
Four Super Eagles players were in action, two on each side but it was Alex Iwobi and Calvin that left the pitch with maximum points while Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi witnessed another loss on their turf.
Oscar Bobb’s 80th minute goal made the difference as the Cottagers ended their miserable away run in the league with a win and a clean sheet.
Tottenham end Stamford Bridge jinx
For the first time since 2018, Tottenham won a Premier League at Stamford Bridge as Spur sealed a 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea on Saturday night.
Mike Penders’ error put the vistors ahead in the 77th minute as he tried to punch the ball away with his fist from a corner-kick.
Chris Kavanagh handed Cole Palmer his second yellow card of the evening three minutes later as the night went worse for the Blue.
Mathys Tel sealed the win with a solo effort as he skipped through Chelsea defenders before placing the ball in the far corner.
Tottenham, courtesy of the wins over Coventry and Chelsea are now 12th on the log.
