The Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 this Saturday at the Emirates Stadium in London, in a match corresponding to the eighth round of the Premier League 2026-2027 that allows the team led by Mikel Arteta to equal the 21 points of Manchester City at the top of the standings. The goals from Ezri Konsa, in the 7th minute, and Gabriel Magalhães, in the 68th, have given the three points to the Londoners, who take advantage of the stumble of Enzo Maresca's team against Aston Villa (2-1) to reduce their points deficit to zero against the leader. Despite the victory, Arsenal remains in second place due to goal difference, while Everton stays with ten points in the mid-table zone.
The London team arrived at the match after adding six victories in the first seven rounds, needing to win to avoid losing ground against a Manchester City that had started the championship with a full set of wins. However, the defeat of Maresca's team at Villa Park, a few hours before the start of the match in London, opened the door for Arsenal to reach the first position shared on points. Arteta's team did not miss the opportunity and dominated much of the match against an Everton that arrived after losing to Chelsea in the previous round.
Konsa puts Arsenal ahead and Gabriel seals it in the second half
Arsenal started the match with intensity and barely needed seven minutes to take the lead on the scoreboard. Ezri Konsa scored 1-0 after a play of several consecutive corner kicks, taking advantage of a loose ball in the area to surpass the visiting goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford. The goal allowed Arteta's team to control the pace of the match and generate new chances, especially through Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, although the lack of accuracy prevented them from extending the lead before halftime.
Everton, led by David Moyes, also had some opportunities to equalize the match. The clearest came after a mistake in Arsenal's ball exit, when Thierno Barry took advantage of a risky pass from Ben White to face David Raya, although the Spanish goalkeeper managed to prevent the equalizer. The Londoners maintained territorial dominance and went into halftime with a minimal lead of 1-0.
In the second half, Arsenal continued searching for a goal that would allow them to face the last minutes with tranquility. The home team experienced a moment of concern when Gabriel Magalhães needed medical assistance after a defensive action, although the Brazilian was able to continue on the field. Shortly after, in the 68th minute, Gabriel himself scored the 2-0 with a header after a cross from Ben White, practically closing the match. Everton tried to react in the last minutes, but could not beat Raya, who finished the match without conceding goals.
How the Premier League standings look after Arsenal–Everton
The victory allows Arsenal to reach 21 points after eight matches, with a record of seven wins and one loss. Arteta's team thus equals Manchester City, which retains the first position thanks to its better goal difference: +11 compared to +8 for the Londoners. Both teams have played the same number of matches, so the standings reflect an equality of points in the fight for the lead, although the championship is still in its early rounds.
Behind them is Brighton, with 16 points before playing their eighth match, followed by a Chelsea that started the weekend with 13 and a Liverpool that had accumulated 12. The Everton, for its part, remains with ten points after adding two victories, four draws, and two losses in their first eight commitments. The defeat in London halts their aspirations to get closer to the European spots and prolongs their inconsistency at the start of the season.
Manchester City loses its first match and leaves the title race open
The result of Arsenal takes on special importance after what happened hours earlier at Villa Park, where Unai Emery's Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 2-1 and ended their perfect run of victories in the Premier League. The star of the match was Nicolas Jackson, the scorer of both goals for the home team, while Erling Haaland scored the goal for the visiting team. The defeat represents City's first league stumble this season and allows Arsenal to eliminate the three-point gap that existed between the two teams before the matchday.
The next big league commitment of Arsenal will be on November 1 against Liverpool at Anfield, a match that will test the aspirations of the London team in the fight for the championship. For its part, Manchester City will try to get back on the path to victory in its next match against Brighton.
With 21 points for Arsenal and Manchester City, the eighth round leaves a tighter battle for the leadership of the Premier League, in which the Londoners have managed to take advantage of the first stumble of their main rival to position themselves at their level in the standings.