By Boluwatife Kehinde
Defending Premier League champions Liverpool left it late at Anfield to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Arsenal, preserving their perfect start to the season thanks to a stunning strike from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Arsenal suffered an early setback when William Saliba limped off just four minutes in, with Cristhian Mosquera coming on for only his second appearance in red and white.
Despite the disruption, the visitors looked more threatening in the first half. Their best chance fell to Noni Madueke, who pounced on a loose ball from a corner and forced Alisson into a sharp save.
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Liverpool grew into the contest after the break. On the hour mark, Florian Wirtz tested David Raya with a powerful effort, before Hugo Ekitike found the net—only for his strike to be ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The breakthrough finally came through a moment of brilliance. Awarded a free-kick from over 30 yards, Szoboszlai stepped up and curled a superb effort over the wall, clipping the post before nestling into the net for the decisive winner.
Liverpool now turns their attention to Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, 14 September, while Arsenal hosts Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 13 September.
Brighton stun Manchester City with
Manchester City’s shaky Premier League campaign suffered another blow on Sunday as Brighton produced a dramatic late comeback to win 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
The defeat left Pep Guardiola’s side with just one victory from their opening three matches, an uncharacteristically sluggish start for the reigning champions.
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City looked in control when Erling Haaland struck midway through the first half. His close-range finish not only put them ahead but also marked his 88th goal in 100 Premier League appearances, further underlining his remarkable scoring record.
However, City failed to press their advantage. Brighton, led by 31-year-old Fabian Hürzeler — the youngest manager in the league — showed resilience and ambition. At half-time, Hürzeler made four bold substitutions, injecting energy and attacking intent that quickly tilted momentum.
The equaliser arrived in the 67th minute when veteran midfielder James Milner, facing his former club, coolly converted a penalty after Matheus Nunes handled in the area.
Goalkeeper James Trafford, under scrutiny since replacing Ederson, made several key saves to keep City level. But the pressure eventually told, as substitute Brajan Gruda fired low past him late on to seal a famous win for the Seagulls.
The result condemned City to back-to-back league defeats, raising questions over their defensive frailties and midfield sharpness. Guardiola admitted afterwards his side must “regain focus quickly” with tough fixtures looming after the break.
West Ham crush Forest
At the City Ground, West Ham United rediscovered its spark with a convincing 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, easing the pressure on Graham Potter.
Forest, unbeaten in their first two games, started brightly, dominating possession and creating chances through Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi. However, Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola stood firm to keep them out.
West Ham bided their time and struck after the interval. Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring with a clinical finish, Lucas Paquetá doubled the lead from the penalty spot, and substitute Callum Wilson sealed the victory with a composed strike in the final minutes.
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Before kick-off, the City Ground paid tribute to former Forest captain Terry Hennessey with a minute’s applause. But the mood soured as West Ham’s ruthlessness condemned Nuno Espírito Santo’s side to their first defeat of the season.
Forest will now prepare for a daunting trip to Arsenal, while West Ham hopes this dominant display sparks a stronger campaign after early stumbles against Sunderland and Chelsea.
