Manchester City will spend the next three weeks at the top of the Premier League after Arsenal’s perfect start was halted by a 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
City also conceded three goals against Sunderland but had enough attacking firepower to win 5-3, while Chelsea’s bright start under Xabi Alonso suffered another setback with a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
Manchester United, meanwhile, could only draw 1-1 with winless Fulham as pressure continues to build on Michael Carrick.
Here are three talking points from the Premier League weekend.
Arsenal’s Aura Takes A Hit
Arsenal had been tipped as early title favourites after a strong start and another impressive summer transfer window, but Brighton exposed weaknesses in Mikel Arteta’s side with their biggest defeat in more than three years.
The Gunners had won all seven of their games in all competitions before travelling to the south coast, but struggled against Brighton’s high press.
Their defensive issues were also exposed from a set piece as Chema Andres headed in Brighton’s third goal.
“The way we have competed, the way we have played, the way we have dominated. It’s been really good,” Arteta said of Arsenal’s start to the campaign.
“But today we need to take this lesson very, very seriously because it’s going to happen.”
Carrick Under Growing Pressure At United
Michael Carrick faced renewed criticism after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham, leaving them with just one win from their opening five league games.
United avoided a defeat thanks to Matheus Cunha’s late equaliser at Craven Cottage, but their performance offered little reassurance.
Their problems were summed up by a bizarre second-half own goal when Lisandro Martinez failed to clear after Senne Lammens had made a save, eventually deflecting the ball into his own net.
United repeatedly gave away possession and struggled to contain a Fulham side that had yet to win a league game.
The result has also revived comparisons with the side that struggled under Carrick’s predecessor Ruben Amorim, despite Carrick having stabilised the club following his appointment last season.
Former United midfielder Gary Neville was particularly critical of the performance.
“I’ve watched Man United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen,” Neville said of United’s start to the second half.
“Absolutely pathetic. I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must Carrick be thinking?”
Chelsea’s Defensive Problems Continue
Chelsea’s attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers had helped mask some of the team’s defensive problems during Xabi Alonso’s early spell in charge.
But those issues were exposed again in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford, leaving Chelsea without a win in their last three league games.
The Blues have now gone 21 Premier League matches without keeping a clean sheet, their longest such run since 1965.
While the poor defensive record began before Alonso’s arrival, the new manager faces the task of finding a solution after becoming only the sixth manager to concede at least twice in each of his first five Premier League games.
“Not good enough,” Chelsea defender Levi Colwill said.
“At times we have been bullied in the box and we definitely need to improve.”
