Arsenal's excellent begin to their Premier League title defence got here off the rails in a 3-0 trouncing by Brighton, whereas Tottenham stay winless after a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta's males arrived on the south coast in formidable type having gained all seven video games in all competitions this season.
But it surely was Brighton's positive begin to the marketing campaign that was maintained as objectives from Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres breached the Gunners' usually impenetrable defence.
"Brighton deserved to win the sport. We didn't do the fundamentals proper for lengthy intervals," stated Arteta.
"It's an enormous lesson for us to be taught. How the staff has performed and competed within the final six or seven weeks has been expectational, however at present has been an enormous lesson."
It’s the third consecutive season that the Premier League champions have misplaced on the Amex after Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis prior to now two years.
Brighton had been stuffed with confidence after changing into the primary aspect in 50 years to return from 2-0 all the way down to beat Manchester United at Outdated Trafford within the League Cup in midweek.
Fabian Hurzeler's aspect went at Arsenal from the beginning however needed to wait till 31 minutes for the opener when Gross crashed a shot in off the within of the submit.
Arsenal had been punished for permitting an excessive amount of area on the sting of their space once more simply earlier than half-time when Kostoulas this time picked his spot to beat David Raya.
Reasonably than a rousing second-half response, the guests fell additional behind on the hour mark as Andres was afforded the area to move in Gross's nook contained in the six-yard field for Brighton's sixteenth purpose in 5 league video games this season.
"It was a particular win. Not solely as a result of we performed the very best staff in England however due to the efficiency," stated Hurzeler. "I’m actually pleased with my staff."
The defeat is Arsenal's heaviest in any competitors since April 2023.
– Spurs 'too fragile' –
It was additionally one other day to neglect for Arsenal's north London rivals as Tottenham must stew over a three-week worldwide break within the relegation zone.
After 4 video games with no purpose, an finish to Spurs' drought got here too late as they had been already 3-0 down earlier than two comfort strikes from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke.
Villa had been indebted to goalkeeper Zion Suzuki for a string of saves to maintain them within the recreation earlier than Johan Manzambi slotted the guests forward on the finish of the primary half.
Nicolas Jackson uncovered some woeful Spurs defending so as to add a second earlier than a superb strike from Emi Buendia secured Villa's first league win of the season.
"We performed effectively within the first half, we didn't rating, however (we’re) too fragile," stated Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.
"The second when we’ve to defend, we’ve to defend compact. The leaders need to be leaders and to steer the staff."
Newcastle ended newly-promoted Hull's unbeaten begin with two objectives inside the primary seven minutes by way of Joe Willock and Lewis Corridor for a 2-1 win.
Konstantinos Tzolakis saved Yoane Wissa's penalty earlier than half-time to maintain Hull alive they usually produced a nervy end at St. James' Park when Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled a purpose again.
Everton climbed as much as fifth after extending their unbeaten begin with a 1-0 win over 10-man Ipswich.
Thierno Barry scored the one purpose and had one other dominated out by VAR earlier than Abdul Fatawu noticed a second yellow card for diving.
Manchester Metropolis can open up a three-point lead on the prime once they host Sunderland, whereas Manchester United purpose to provide some respite to embattled supervisor Michael Carrick at Fulham on Sunday.
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