Advertisement

Arsenal spoil Ange return, Chelsea held by Brentford

football13 September 2025 21:19| © AFP
Share

A Martin Zubimendi double took Arsenal top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday as Chelsea conceded a stoppage time equaliser to draw 2-2 at Brentford.

Ange Postecoglou's Premier League return in his first match as Forest manager was ruined by a ruthless Arsenal performance.l.

Mikel Arteta's men had two weeks over the international break to mull over losing 1-0 to title rivals Liverpool due to Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick.

But the Gunners made it three wins from four games thanks to an unlikely goalscoring hero.

Zubimendi scored just 10 times in 236 games for Real Sociedad and commanded a £60 million fee in the transfer window due to his defensive abilities and distribution from the base of the midfield.

However, the Spanish international smashed home a blistering volley from outside the box to break Forest's resistence on 32 minutes.

"Unbelievable from Zubimendi," said Arteta.

"Two very difficult goals in terms of execution. He's come into the club and you feel a real presence, a real authority with everything he does on the pitch."

It took less than 60 seconds into the second half for Viktor Gyokeres to double Arsenal's lead from Eberechi Eze's cross before Zubimendi headed in his second of the game.

Chelsea missed the chance to go top after Fabio Carvalho salvaged a well-earned point for Brentford in the 93rd minute.

The Bees deservedly led at half-time through Kevin Schade before Enzo Maresca called in the Chelsea cavalry.

Cole Palmer was among a number of stars left on the bench ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to Bayern Munich.

Palmer levelled with his first Premier League goal from open play since January before Moises Caicedo's blistering strike looked to have given Chelsea victory.

But Brentford's strength from set-pieces bailed out Keith Andrews' men as Carvalho stole in at the back post to level.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

INSTANT HERO WOLTEMADE

Tottenham sit behind Arsenal only on goal difference after a three-goal blitz of 10-man West Ham early in the second half.

Pape Sarr exposed the Hammers' frailties from set-pieces to head Spurs in front at the London Stadium on 47 minutes.

Tomas Soucek's straight red card moments later for a wild lunge on Joao Palhinha made a difficult task for Graham Potter's men an impossible one.

Lucas Bergvall's looping header quickly doubled Tottenham's lead before Micky Van de Ven fired in a third.

Nick Woltemade did his best to make Newcastle fans forget the departed Alexander Isak by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Wolves on his debut.

The giant German international powered home a header from Jacob Murphy's cross for the only goal on 29 minutes.

Woltemade cost a club record £65 million but has already begun repaying that show of faith.

"Most importantly for a striker, when the ball comes into the box, you need to be there and he was," said Howe.

Bournemouth moved up to fourth thanks to Antoine Semenyo's winner from the penalty spot to beat Brighton 2-1.

Aston Villa remain without a goal this season but did succeed in blunting the threat of their former star Jack Grealish in a 0-0 draw away to a rejuvenated Everton.

Leeds were undone by a 94th minute own goal by Gabriel Gudmundsson to lose 1-0 at Fulham.

Sunderland's strong return to the Premier League continued by holding Crystal Palace in a 0-0 stalemate at Selhurst Park.

Isak could make his Liverpool bow as the defending champions aim to retake top spot when they play away to Burnley on Sunday before Manchester City host Manchester United.

Advertisement