Man City falls at Aston Villa and Arsenal moves level on top of the Premier League

Aston Villa's Nicolas Jackson, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester City in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Oct. Also, Tottenham sealed its second win this week by beating 10-man Chelsea 2-0.

Nicolas Jackson scored both goals for Villa against a City that was aiming for an eighth straight league win. Victory extended Villa's outstanding recent run to six wins from seven games in all competitions.

"It was difficult but we got the win and that is the most important thing. Now we can focus on the next one.

After City's defeat in the early kickoff, defending champion Arsenal took advantage by beating Everton 2-0 at Emirates Stadium. Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes scored in each half for Mikel Arteta's team, which is second on goal difference.

Spurs, without a league win until Monday against Coventry, followed that with a rare victory at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders inadvertently punched the ball into his own net and gave Spurs the lead and Cole Palmer was sent off soon after.

Tottenham's win was sealed late by Mathys Tel. Arsenal's Gabriel celebrates after scoring second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton in London, Saturday, Oct.

24, 2026 (Photo | AP) Arsenal ends unlikely run Konsa scored his first goal for Arsenal since joining from Villa at the start of the season and ended the champion's run of 13 games without scoring from a set-piece. Last season's title victory relied heavily on Arsenal's scoring efficiency from corners, in particular, but Konsa's scrambled goal after seven minutes was its first in any competition this term, excluding penalties.

A goal from a set-piece has felt like it has been coming. Today was the day," Konsa said.

Gabriel was also on target, heading in the second in the 68th for his first of the campaign. After showing its Champions League credentials with a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich midweek, Arsenal strengthened its title defense with victory against Everton to move to neck and neck with City, with just goal difference separating them.