Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Jesus and Havertz goals send hosts top
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton: Hosts move temporarily top of the table after second-half strikes from Jesus and Havertz
Arsenal moved temporarily top of the Premier League as they coasted to a comfortable 2-0 home win against Brighton courtesy of goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated much of the early opening exchanges but struggled to find an opening in the first half, with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli spurning golden opportunities.
However, their pressure would eventually tell in the second period when Jesus made the most of a defensive error from a corner to put the home side in front.
Brighton, who earlier in the week secured their place in the Europa League knockout rounds, could not reproduce a similar level of performance, with the result put beyond doubt in the 88th minute when Havertz cooly slotted under Verbruggen.
Relive the match action from our blog, below:
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal have a record of 10 wins, one draw and no defeats when scoring the opening goal in the Premier League this season. They usually go on and take maximum points when they get ahead in games.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Having just got their noses in front, the hosts are looking for a quick second to tighten their grip on this contest. It's vital Brighton make it through the next period of the game just the one goal behind.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
GOAL! Arsenal take the lead and it’s Jesus with the goal. Saka swings in the corner and it’s a mistake from Van Hecke who doesn’t hear the call from his keeper and instead goes up for the header at the near post. The ball flicks off the Brighton centre-back and flies to the far post where Jesus is waiting to convert into an empty net.
A slice of good fortune for the hosts but you can’t say they don’t deserve it.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
A loose pass by Verbruggen inexplicably gives the ball away in a terrible area. Rice gets it to Saka, who then squares it to Odegaard. However, the Arsenal captain cannot quite get his feet sorted in time and Van Hecke gets across to make a vital block.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
For the first time in 49 Premier League games under De Zerbi, Brighton didn't attempt a single shot in the first half.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal have now stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 11 of their 17 games. No team has done this more in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
The hosts get the ball rolling again for the second half. Can they find a way through this Brighton defence over the next 45 minutes?
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Goalless at the break:
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton are yet to record a shot, but their rearguard action has largely kept Arsenal at bay. There is a long time to go, however, and De Zerbi will be wanting more of an attacking threat to get his side up the pitch and stop the wave after wave of Arsenal attacks that we saw for spells in the first half.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
The half-time whistle blows as the teams head back to the changing rooms with the scoreline 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium. It was a first half dominated by Arsenal, holding the majority of the possession and going close through the likes of Odegaard and Martinelli. Verbruggen has been busy between the Brighton sticks, but his work and some wasteful Arsenal finishing ensure we go to the break goalless.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments