High-flying Aston Villa have produced a stunning performance to beat champions Manchester City 1-0 in the EPL thanks to a second-half strike from Leon Bailey.
Emi Martinez twice denied Erling Haaland early on but the hosts were the stronger side throughout at Villa Park, racking up 22 shots to City’s two.
Villa finally earned the reward for their pressure in the 74th minute – albeit with a stroke of luck – when Bailey’s shot took a huge deflection off Ruben Dias to loop into the net.
The result meant Villa climbed above City, who again badly missed the suspended Rodri and are now without a win in four games, into third place.
Second-placed Liverpool moved within two points of leaders Arsenal again by spoiling Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United return and winning 2-0 at Bramall Lane.
Wilder, who guided United to promotion to the top flight in 2019 before being sacked in March 2021, replaced Paul Heckingbottom in the Blades’ hotseat earlier this week.
But Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk quietened the raucous home support when he volleyed the visitors ahead in the 37th minute. Dominik Szoboszlai made victory certain in stoppage time.
Scott McTominay scored twice as Manchester United held on to give manager Erik Ten Hag some breathing space with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
McTominay turned in a rebound to give United a 19th-minute lead after both sides had spurned earlier chances, Bruno Fernandes having a penalty saved and Mykhailo Mudryk hitting the post.
Cole Palmer levelled before the interval but McTominay headed in a cross from Alejandro Garnacho to seal it for United after 69 minutes.
Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez both scored twice as Fulham thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 at Craven Cottage to pile more pressure on Forest boss Steve Cooper.
“It was a painful night and a scoreline we deserve,” Cooper said.
“If you show a lack of desire you run the risk of getting what we got tonight.
“I have to take responsibility for it and it’s on me. I have to take ownership for that but it’s embarrassing.”
Brighton came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.
The visitors struck first with a Bryan Mbuemo penalty on 27 minutes but Pascal Gross quickly levelled.
A first senior goal for 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood early in the second half proved decisive.
“It is an unbelievable feeling, it was my first game playing here at the Amex in front of all these fans,” Hinshelwood, who joined the club aged seven, told broadcaster Amazon Prime.
“The fans, players and manager have all shown great belief in me and I am just trying to repay them.”
Bournemouth continued their recent revival with a hard-earned 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
Marcos Senesi headed the Cherries in front on 25 minutes with Kieffer Moore heading home a second in stoppage time.