Freak reaching ‘Ronaldo, Messi’ levels; Ange gets perfect response as ‘soft’ Utd punished — PL Wrap

Arsenal have showcased their Premier League title ambitions with a solid 2-0 victory at Aston Villa, while Manchester United suffered a late 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

Erling Haaland’s hat-trick propelled Manchester City to the top of the table with a commanding 4-1 win over Ipswich, and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham dismantled Everton 4-0.

Last season, Arsenal’s two defeats to Villa were pivotal in denying them a first league title in 20 years. However, they exacted revenge in Birmingham, though it took a spectacular save from David Raya to deny Ollie Watkins from putting Villa ahead.

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Leandro Trossard came off the bench to break the deadlock with a cool finish in the 67th minute, while Thomas Partey sealed the victory with a low strike that Emiliano Martinez should have saved.

Arsenal, who have finished second to Manchester City in the last two seasons, look poised for another title challenge this year.

City were caught off guard early by newly-promoted Ipswich when Sammie Szmodics scored by squeezing a shot through Ederson’s legs at the Etihad. However, Manchester City quickly responded with three goals in just four minutes.

Erling Haaland equalized with a penalty, and Ipswich keeper Arijanet Muric made a costly error, allowing Savinho to dispossess him and Kevin De Bruyne to score into an empty net. Haaland then added a third goal with a deft finish from De Bruyne’s pass.

Haaland completed his hat-trick with a sharp finish in the 88th minute, marking his 10th for City and his fourth goal of the season.

With 94 goals in 96 starts for City, Haaland is earning comparisons to legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. City manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland’s extraordinary numbers, stating, “He can compete in terms of goals with Ronaldo and Messi.”

The glimmer of hope for struggling Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was extinguished by Joao Pedro’s dramatic 95th-minute winner for Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Ten Hag was critical of his team’s performance, saying, “Both goals are very soft. As a team, we should have done better. We need to be more clinical in both boxes.” United went behind to a 32nd-minute goal from Danny Welbeck. Amad Diallo equalized for United after an hour with a shot that took a deflection off Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

In the final moments, Joshua Zirkzee thwarted Alejandro Garnacho’s attempt to put United ahead by clearing a close-range finish from an offside position.

Pedro then added to United’s misery with a header from Simon Adingra’s cross, ensuring Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler’s perfect start to the season remains intact after last weekend’s win at Everton.

At 31 years old, German coach Fabian Hurzeler has made history as the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, Hurzeler said, “My team deserved to win. These moments create memories, and we need to enjoy them.”

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma also made headlines by regaining favor with manager Ange Postecoglou. After serving a one-game suspension for posting a video of himself inhaling nitrous oxide, Bissouma was brought back into the fold.

“You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?” Postecoglou remarked about Bissouma’s return.

Bissouma took full advantage of his second chance, scoring a superb goal from the edge of the area in the 14th minute, marking his first league goal for Tottenham in his 52nd appearance.

Son Heung-min extended Tottenham’s lead in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a blunder by Everton’s Jordan Pickford. The South Korean forward intercepted a mishandled ball from the ‘keeper and slotted it in for a simple finish.

Cristian Romero added Tottenham’s third with a header in the 71st minute, and Son completed his brace with a precise finish just six minutes later.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui secured his first victory with the Hammers, as second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen delivered a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Alex Iwobi scored in the 70th minute to seal a 2-1 triumph for Fulham against Leicester at Craven Cottage, following a first-half goal from Emile Smith Rowe and an equalizer by Wout Faes.

Nottingham Forest edged out Southampton 1-0, with Morgan Gibbs-White netting the decisive goal in the 70th minute.