Arsenal shares Premier League top spot at 21 points

The Premier League title race tightened on Saturday as Manchester City suffered their first loss of the season, allowing Arsenal to close the gap to zero. Both clubs now sit on 21 points after eight matchdays, a parity that complicates the championship race for the reigning champions.

Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium in heavy rain. The win erased the three-point deficit they had held against City earlier in the week. Ezri Konsa scored in the seventh minute, burying a rebound from a corner kick. It marked the club's first set-piece goal since May, ending a 13-game drought in all competitions.

Gabriel added the second goal in the 68th minute, heading in a cross from Ben White. Both players were marking milestones in the match. White played his 200th game for Arsenal, while Gabriel made his 200th Premier League appearance. The result leaves Everton in ninth place, while Arsenal continues its home form on a streak of consistent wins.

At Villa Park, Nicolas Jackson scored twice to lead Aston Villa past Manchester City 2-1. Jackson opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a turnover from Marc Guehi. Erling Haaland equalized for the visitors shortly after halftime, heading in a free-kick from Iliman Ndiaye. Jackson restored Villa's lead in the 60th minute, finishing a cutback from Ibrahim Mbaye. The win moved Unai Emery's side to sixth place with 11 points and marked their third consecutive league victory over City.

City now faces uncertainty off the pitch as it awaits an appeal decision regarding 114 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. An independent commission found the club committed the violations, a finding the club has disputed. Jackson, reflecting on the upset, noted that his team is focused on working game by game.

In other results, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute, and Mathys Tel scored the winner in the 87th. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders also scored an own goal in the 77th minute. Fulham beat Coventry City 1-0, with Oscar Bobb scoring in the 80th minute to secure the win for the home side.