Premier League Recap: City Back in Title Hunt, Villa Keep Winning, Newcastle Deepen Ange’s Woes and More

Brentford 0-1 Manchester City: Haaland Fires City to Victory

Manchester City edged Brentford 1-0 in west London to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions and move within three points of the Premier League summit.

City struck early when Joško Gvardiol’s long ball set Erling Haaland free. The Norwegian forward shrugged off Sepp van den Berg before rifling a fierce shot past Caoimhin Kelleher at the near post. Despite their bright start, Pep Guardiola’s men suffered a setback when Rodri was forced off injured midway through the first half.

City continued to threaten, and only a superb one-handed save from Kelleher denied Tijjani Reijnders a second goal before half-time. Brentford offered little in response before the break, but Igor Thiago missed a golden opportunity shortly after the restart, his heavy touch allowing Gianluigi Donnarumma to smother his attempted dink.

The Bees pressed hard in the second half, with Michael Kayode heading over from close range, yet they couldn’t find a breakthrough. Despite late pressure, City held firm to record their narrow victory. Guardiola’s side, though not at their fluid best, will be relieved to take all three points into the international break. Brentford remain hovering above the relegation zone but out of danger — for now.

Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley: Malen Double Extends Villa’s Winning Streak

Aston Villa claimed their fourth consecutive Premier League win with a 2-1 triumph over Burnley, sealing a third straight league victory against the Clarets for the first time since 1900.

The hosts dominated from the start, with early chances from Donyell Malen and Ezri Konsa both denied by Martin Dúbravka. Their persistence paid off midway through the first half when Boubacar Kamara’s incisive pass split Burnley’s defence, allowing Malen to calmly slot home.

Burnley offered a late first-half threat as Josh Cullen forced Emiliano Martínez into a fine save and Jaidon Anthony’s cross-shot struck the bar. Villa, however, continued to control proceedings after the break. Morgan Rogers saw his close-range strike saved before Malen doubled his tally with a precise finish into the far corner.

Villa nearly added a third through Matty Cash, but Dúbravka’s reflexes kept the scoreline respectable. Burnley pulled one back via Lesley Ugochukwu’s header from a Quilindschy Hartman corner, yet they couldn’t find an equaliser. Unai Emery’s men go into the break on a high, while Burnley’s winless run stretches to five games.

Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace: Grealish Snatches Late Winner

Jack Grealish struck in stoppage time to hand Everton a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, ending the visitors’ club-record 19-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Both sides began brightly at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Jordan Pickford denied Yéremy Pino early on, while Dean Henderson stopped Grealish’s low drive. Palace looked sharp and Tyrick Mitchell hit the upright before Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring in the 37th minute, racing onto Ismaïla Sarr’s pass and slotting past Pickford.

Jean-Philippe Mateta squandered two second-half chances to double Palace’s lead, and they were punished when Everton earned a penalty for a foul on Tim Iroegbunam. Iliman Ndiaye coolly converted to level the score.

Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Grealish pounced in the 93rd minute — blocking Muñoz’s attempted clearance after Henderson had saved from Beto — to clinch Everton’s first win since August. The result lifts David Moyes’s side to seventh, just one point behind fifth-placed Palace, whose unbeaten streak ended abruptly.

Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest: Guimarães and Woltemade Seal Win

Newcastle United maintained their dominance over Nottingham Forest with a 2-0 win at St. James’ Park, marking their seventh victory in the last eight league meetings.

Joelinton twice went close early on, denied both times by Matz Sels. Forest struggled to create chances, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick easily dealt with by Nick Pope. The hosts eventually broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Dan Burn teed up Bruno Guimarães, who curled a stunning effort into the top corner.

Woltemade then rattled the crossbar before earning and converting a penalty after being fouled by ex-Magpie Elliot Anderson. The German forward became only the third Newcastle player after Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer to score in his first three top-flight home games.

Eddie Howe’s side have now won five straight home league matches with clean sheets, while Ange Postecoglou remains winless in seven games as Forest manager.

Wolves 1-1 Brighton: Late Van Hecke Header Denies Hosts

Wolves were denied their first Premier Lig win of the season after Brighton snatched a late 1-1 draw at Molineux, extending the Seagulls’ unbeaten run in this fixture to eight matches.

A tense opening saw Wolves boss Vítor Pereira sent off for protesting a refereeing decision. Moments later, the hosts took the lead when Jhon Arias’s cross caused chaos, and Marshall Munetsi’s volley rebounded off the bar before deflecting in off goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Wolves could have doubled their lead through Ladislav Krejčí, while Brighton improved after the break, with Georginio Rutter forcing a top save from Sam Johnstone. The hosts almost sealed it when Jørgen Strand Larsen hit the post, but their failure to clear a late corner proved costly as Jan Paul van Hecke headed home Maxim De Cuyper’s cross.

The draw means Brighton extend their unbeaten streak to four in all competitions, while Wolves’ search for a first league win goes on after another late heartbreak.