Bukayo Saka’s stoppage-time penalty sealed a gritty 2-0 win at Sunderland, while Chelsea and Liverpool dropped points at home and Tottenham’s goal drought reached historic depths.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Arsenal extended a flawless start to their Premier League title defence with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Sunderland, moving three points clear at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were all held at home on a day that exposed the frailties of the champions’ closest challengers.

Raya and Guimaraes the Difference at the Stadium of Light

Arsenal’s fourth win in four league games was built on a decisive two-minute swing midway through the second half at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland had the chance to take the lead when Ezri Konsa was penalised for holding Dan Ballard, but David Raya brilliantly tipped Enzo Le Fee’s spot kick onto the post.

Just 121 seconds later, Bruno Guimaraes—booed throughout by the home fans due to his Newcastle connections—crashed a stunning strike in off the underside of the crossbar from outside the box for his first Arsenal goal. “It’s unbelievable. I feel very good,” Guimaraes told TNT Sports. “Everyone knows I had a difficult start.”

Sunderland pressed for an equaliser and created 1.64 expected goals, forcing Raya into two more excellent saves, but Arsenal held firm. The result was made safe deep into stoppage time when Bukayo Saka was brought down by Reinildo Mandava, who received a second yellow card, and the England winger squeezed his penalty past Robin Roefs with the final kick of the game.

“It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t perfect. But boy was that important,” ESPN’s match report read. “Arsenal show they are champion material once again with a gritty, gutsy away performance.”

Arsenal have now conceded just one goal in four league games and sit on 12 points, three clear of Manchester City, who face Manchester United in the derby on Sunday.

Chelsea’s Defensive Woes Continue at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s habit of scoring early and conceding badly continued as record signing Morgan Rogers put them ahead after seven minutes against newly promoted Hull City. But Mohamed Belloumi struck twice before half-time, capitalising on slack defending, to give Hull a 2-1 lead.

Joao Pedro drilled in a Cole Palmer cross just after the hour mark to salvage a 2-2 draw, but the Blues could not find a winner. Chelsea have now conceded at least two goals in each of their league games and 12 goals in six games in all competitions under Xabi Alonso.

“Maybe entertaining, but I hope one day you’ll say it was a boring game and we win and we don’t give these entertaining moments,” Alonso said after his side fell five points off the top. “We need to be more solid and be more controlled. New players and new staff. This is the process.”

Hull remain unbeaten and third in the table with eight points, one behind Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool Booed After Fulham Stalemate

Liverpool remain unbeaten under Andoni Iraola, but there were boos at Anfield after Fulham picked up their first point of the season in a goalless draw. A forward line featuring three £100 million players in Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak failed to click against the Cottagers’ leaky defence.

The closest Liverpool came to a breakthrough was a Victor Munoz header against the crossbar in the first half. “When you draw, especially at home, you can’t be happy,” Iraola said, blaming fatigue after his side’s Champions League exertions against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. “Today we lacked a bit of freshness and we did not do enough offensively to make the difference.”

Liverpool have now drawn three of their opening four league games and sit sixth, already six points adrift of Arsenal.

Tottenham’s Historic Goal Drought

Tottenham’s wait for a league goal goes on despite a £300 million summer splurge on new players, as they drew another blank in a stalemate with Everton. It is the first time in the club’s history that they have failed to score in their first four league games of a season. Spurs sit just inside the relegation zone.

Elsewhere in the Premier League

Aston Villa’s nightmare start continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. Liam Delap, signed from Chelsea for a club-record £45 million, scored his first Forest goal just after half-time, and Igor Jesus found the winner in the 88th minute. Villa are stuck in the bottom three.

Ipswich picked up their second win on their return to the top flight, beating 10-man Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park, with substitute Zian Flemming scoring a 90th-minute winner. Bournemouth and Brentford drew 2-2.