Brighton & Hove Albion brought Arsenal’s impressive Premier League winning streak to an abrupt end on Saturday, September 19, producing a commanding 3-0 victory over the reigning champions.
Arsenal arrived on the back of nine consecutive league victories but were unable to cope with Brighton’s intensity, as goals from Pascal Groß, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andrés condemned Mikel Arteta’s side to a heavy defeat.
Brighton began with greater urgency and immediately put Arsenal under pressure.
Ferdi Kadıoğlu fired over inside the opening three minutes before Kostoulas forced David Raya into an early save with an effort from distance. Arsenal also threatened, with Bruno Guimarães sending an effort into the side netting from a difficult angle.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark.
Groß created the breakthrough with a superb strike from outside the penalty area, curling the ball beyond Raya to register his third league goal of the season.
Arsenal had an opportunity to respond before the interval when Bukayo Saka was picked out inside the Brighton penalty area following a quick counter, but his effort went straight at goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton then doubled their advantage before half-time.
The Clash Of Titans
Kostoulas found space outside the Arsenal box before drilling a low effort into the bottom corner, leaving the visitors with a two-goal deficit at the break.
The Seagulls continued to control proceedings after the restart and extended their advantage through Andrés.
Groß delivered a dangerous inswinging corner and Andrés rose highest to power a header into the net for his first goal for Brighton.
Arsenal attempted to salvage something from the match but struggled to break through Brighton’s defence.
Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz both came close late on, while Verbruggen produced another important save to prevent Havertz from pulling a goal back.
The result lifted Brighton to third in the Premier League table, while Arsenal stayed second behind Manchester City on goal difference.
For Arsenal, the defeat brought their nine-match winning streak in the league to an end.
Newcastle Beat Hull to End Unbeaten Start
Elsewhere, Newcastle United ended Hull City’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory at St James’ Park.
The hosts made a blistering start and went ahead when Harvey Barnes picked out Joe Willock inside the penalty area. The midfielder took a touch before firing into the near corner.
Newcastle doubled their advantage just seven minutes into the match.
Barnes again played a central role, carrying the ball forward from halfway before finding Lewis Hall, whose low finish went into the far corner.
Hull came close to reducing the deficit when Newcastle goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček gave the ball away to Mohamed Belloumi, but the forward failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
The Magpies were then awarded a penalty shortly before half-time after Sorba Thomas brought down Jacob Murphy.
Yoane Wissa stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Hull improved significantly after the interval and eventually pulled one back in the 67th minute.
Substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho finished from Belloumi’s pass less than five minutes after coming onto the pitch.
The visitors pressed for an equaliser during the closing stages, but Horníček made several crucial interventions to preserve Newcastle’s advantage.
The defeat ended Hull’s unbeaten opening to the campaign and prevented them from matching Portsmouth’s 2003/04 record of going unbeaten through their first five Premier League matches after promotion.
Everton Maintain Unbeaten League Start
Everton also continued their unbeaten start to the season after edging Ipswich Town 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The only goal arrived after 11 minutes when James Tarkowski’s long-range volley deflected off Thierno Barry and wrong-footed Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Ipswich responded with greater attacking intent after the interval, with Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara testing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
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Barry thought he had added a second from a corner, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review after Brennan Johnson was adjudged to have interfered with Walton while in an offside position.
Ipswich’s task became more difficult when Abdul Fatawu was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation.
Everton held on for the victory, recording their second league win in six matches at Hill Dickinson Stadium while preserving their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.