Madueke Rescues Arsenal at the City Ground While Brighton Run Riot
Arsenal survived a rather disjointed afternoon at the City Ground to take a 1-0 victory over the struggling Nottingham Forest, the winner coming in the 80th minute via a strike from substitute Noni Madueke. The win keeps the defending champions in the title race with Mikel Arteta's side now second in the table, three points adrift of the undefeated Manchester City. The breakthrough came late in a game which had been devoid of attacking threat. Sangare's clearance was a little too long and Madueke was on him instantly. The Arsenal winger cut past Munoz and fired a shot which took a tremendous deflection off Cunha to go past Sels. That was Arsenal's only shot on target throughout the entire game. Murillo almost equalised in injury time. He went on a magnificent solo run, beat three Arsenal players and fired a shot that went agonisingly wide. The defeat sees Forest winless and scoreless at home this season and they are still in the relegation zone (18th). Down to 18th place, Brighton's relegation-zone Albion put Crystal Palace to the sword 5-0. The goal of the day came just seven minutes in. Diego Gomez took it from Adam Wharton in the half, one touch and a glorious lob over Walter Benitez. That wonder strike came after a 4th minute Jaydee Canvot own goal. Brighton weren't going to stop there. Yasin Ayari extended the lead shortly after Gomez's wonderful effort. In the second half Kostoulas scored from an Ayari deflection to put the Blues ahead for the first time. Hinshelwood then completed the demolition in the 84th minute, slotting home the rebound after Vuskovic's header was cleared off the line. Brighton are now in third with 16 points.  At Elland Road, the Red Devils' season-opening slump continued with a 1-1 draw against Leeds. Manager Michael Carrick desperately needed a win after a turwin, following defender Lisandro Martinez going public with his criticism of the club's management and the summer transfer window. Martinez has retained his place in the starting XI despite the criticism. United went ahead in the 35th minute with Bryan Mbeumo holding off James Justin and slotting in a precise cross from Youri Tielemans. Leeds responded immediately after the break with Calvert-Lewin chesting down a corner in the 51st minute and poking it past the keeper to level. The draw puts Man Utd in 13th with just seven points from seven games—their worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1986/87. Leeds are in seventh with 10 points. Elsewhere, Bournemouth got their first win of the season, beating Sunderland 2-0. Lewis Cook set up the first goal just six minutes after the ball was played: a long ball over to Evanilson, then back to Marcus Tavernier to head home. Evanilson then scored himself in the 48th minute, rounding Roefs and slotting a left-foot finish. The standings show Bournemouth in 15th and Sunderland still in 19th.
