Manchester City beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday to return to the Premier League summit on a day when the action on the pitch was overshadowed by the death of England World Cup winner Bobby Charlton. Charlton’s family announced that the former midfielder, who scored 49 international goals, had ‘passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning’ at the age of 86. Tributes poured in from across the football world, with former England captain David Beckham praising Manchester United. United great as a “national hero”.
City manager Pep Guardiola also expressed his condolences after the champions defeated Brighton at the Etihad. “I am sorry to the Manchester United and England family,” he said. “Next week, when we go there, we will be there to pay tribute.
“I love this country for many things, but one of them is how they take care of the legends.”
City’s hard-fought win saw them leave Liverpool behind, who briefly topped the table after their 2-0 win against neighbors Everton in the early kick-off. Arsenal missed the chance to end the day in first place, but recovered from a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea to draw 2-2 and trail City only on goal difference.
City’s win was their 21st successive victory at the Etihad in all competitions, setting a new record for a winning run at home by a Premier League club. The three-time winners, who had lost their previous two league games, dominated the first half and took an early lead through Julian Alvarez.
Erling Haaland ended his short goal drought by doubling City’s lead 12 minutes later, firing home a fierce left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area – his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
But after the break it was a different story. Ansu Fati pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute to put pressure on the home side, who held on despite the sending off of defender Manuel Akanji.
Liverpool’s derby dominance
Liverpool had fortune on their side against Everton at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah scoring twice in a 2-0 win.
Everton’s Ashley Young was sent off before half-time for two bookable offences, while Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate escaped a second yellow card in the second half with the match still goalless.
The home side struggled to make the man advantage count, but finally made the breakthrough 15 minutes from time when Salah smashed home from the penalty spot after Michael Keane had handled the ball.
The Egyptian forward was then put ahead by Darwin Nunez to secure the points deep into stoppage time. Everton manager Sean Dyche was angry at the decision not to send off Konate and even Klopp said he could understand Dyche’s frustration.
Arsenal traveled to Chelsea for the early evening kick-off in high spirits, without a defeat at Stamford Bridge in the competition since 2018.
Chelsea looked on course for their third straight league win after goals from Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk put them 2-0 ahead.
But Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice halved the deficit in the 77th minute, finishing from outside the penalty area after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez misplaced a pass into his path and Leandro Trossard equalized.
Newcastle, whose early season troubles are now a distant memory, romped to a 4-0 win against a sorry Crystal Palace, with goals from Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson.
The victory, their fourth in five Premier League matches, moves Eddie Howe’s men to fifth place in the Premier League.
Brentford beat Burnley 3-0, while Wolves came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Sasa Kalajdzic. Luton recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Nottingham Forest.
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