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Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1, while Everton drew 2-2 with Manchester United in Premier League matches. Maitland-Niles scored a late equalizer for Everton.
From left, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, Arsenal’s Gabriel, Arsenal’s Christos Tzolis react during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea in London, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Arsenal showed their title mettle by beating London rivals Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck in the sixth minute of added time to rescue Everton in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester United, in what were two different yet brilliant Premier League Sunday matches.
In North London, Arsenal recovered from an early setback to defeat Chelsea and maintain their perfect league record. Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead after just 77 seconds, but Kai Havertz equalised against his former club before Martin Odegaard completed Arsenal’s comeback shortly after half-time.
The victory leaves Arsenal with three wins from three league games, level on points with leaders Manchester City but behind on goals scored. More importantly, it underlined Mikel Arteta’s side’s credentials as they chase back-to-back Premier League titles.
Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat under new manager Xabi Alonso, ending a three-game winning run across all competitions. The result also highlighted the defensive weaknesses that remain for a team hoping to challenge for the title for the first time since their last league triumph in 2017.
Rogers justified Chelsea’s record £117 million ($158 million) investment almost immediately after Reece James’ free-kick delivery was not properly cleared by Declan Rice and Odegaard. The England midfielder drilled a low volley past David Raya from the edge of the box to give Chelsea a dream start.
Arsenal responded with increasing control and were rewarded in the 25th minute. Havertz drifted into space on the right before cutting inside and firing a low shot through Maxence Lacroix’s legs and beyond Emiliano Martinez.
Chelsea almost regained the lead before the break when Pedro Neto’s effort struck the far post, but Arsenal took control after half-time. In the 50th minute, Christos Tzolis produced an incisive pass into Havertz, whose clever dummy allowed the ball to run through to Odegaard. The Arsenal captain calmly finished from 10 yards.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through. Malo Gusto wasted a good opportunity by shooting over, while Raya denied Estevao Willian with a late save as Arsenal held on for an important victory.
At Goodison Park, Manchester United twice took the lead but were denied victory by Maitland-Niles’ spectacular stoppage-time equaliser on his Everton debut.
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring shortly after half-time, finishing on his preferred left foot after Everton were caught out. Tyrique George levelled for the hosts seven minutes from time, but United appeared to have snatched all three points when Benjamin Sesko headed in Luke Shaw’s cross.
Everton, however, refused to surrender. With the allotted five minutes of added time already seemingly over, the ball fell to Maitland-Niles, who curled a superb long-range effort into the top corner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The result preserved Everton’s unbeaten start and left them one point above United. For Michael Carrick, though, it was a painful conclusion to a match his side had twice been in front.
United’s defensive frailties were again exposed, with the Red Devils having now conceded twice in each of their first three league games. “It feels like a defeat,” Carrick admitted, reflecting the frustration of surrendering victory so late.
Everton’s point also provided some relief after a difficult transfer window. The club lost Iliman Ndiaye and Beto and failed to complete a move for Folarin Balogun, leaving David Moyes with only one natural striker, Thierno Barry, and a thin squad. Jack Grealish’s loan arrival offered some attacking encouragement, but Sunday’s late comeback may prove equally valuable for Everton’s confidence.
(With AFP Inputs)
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Ask News18Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored for Arsenal, while Morgan Rogers scored for Chelsea.
Ask News18September 06, 2026, 23:41 IST
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