Seagulls soar to see off champions in style

Premier League champions Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season, as they have been comfortably crushed 3-0 by Brighton on the Amex Stadium.

Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas gave the hosts a two-goal lead going into the break earlier than Chema Andres added a 3rd to compound Mikel Arteta’s facet – who have been put below strain from the off – to a depressing afternoon on the south coast.

The outcome strikes the Seagulls as much as third within the desk, whereas the Gunners sit in second, remaining degree on factors with rivals Manchester Metropolis however having performed one sport extra.

Brighton race into early lead

The hosts, who started the day the league’s high scorers, started brightly, with Charalampos Kostoulas forcing an early save from David Raya following Bruno Guimaraes’ error.

The champions struggled to enterprise out of their half throughout the opening phases, with Raya trying uncharacteristically shaky between the sticks.

Arteta’s facet ultimately discovered their toes however simply because it regarded just like the Gunners have been in regards to the assert their dominance, they have been pegged again when Gross netted a stunner from exterior the field.

The purpose solely injected additional confidence into the hosts, who took lower than quarter-hour to double their benefit.

On the stroke of half-time, Kostoulas was given far an excessive amount of room on the sting of the world and the Greek worldwide drilled residence a powerful strike.

Extra distress for Gunners

Regardless of the problem on their palms, Arteta opted to make no modifications on the break, hoping his beginning XI might dig themselves out of a gap throughout the second interval.

But it surely was Brighton who regarded most like extending their lead after the restart – Kostoulas once more amongst the motion when {the teenager} steered an effort simply huge of the purpose.

And positive sufficient, the hosts did discover a third quickly after when an unmarked Andres headed residence on his first Premier League begin to add additional sheen to Brighton’s day.

The Seagulls have been hungry for extra. Pascal Struijk nodded agonisingly huge from a nook after extra wobbly defending by Arsenal, who have been staring down the barrel of solely a second defeat by multiple purpose in over a season.

Arteta rang the modifications, however it had little affect on the end result. Kai Havertz was denied by Bart Verbruggen earlier than, on the different finish, Matt O’Riley went shut to creating it 4 however Raya was equal to the midfielder’s header.

In the long run, the champions might have few complaints. Brighton have been glorious, laying down an announcement of intent to the remainder of the highest flight.

The Premier League Desk

Upcoming fixtures for Brighton and Arsenal