Premier League Daily Report - 2026-09-12

Arsenal maintained their perfect Premier League start with a 2-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday, moving to 12 points from four matches. David Raya kept the champions level by saving Enzo Le Fee’s penalty, pushing the spot-kick against the post. Bruno Guimaraes then opened the scoring with a spectacular finish, his first Arsenal goal since joining from Sunderland’s bitter rivals Newcastle. Bukayo Saka added the second from a stoppage-time penalty after Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava was sent off for bringing down the winger in the area. The result kept Mikel Arteta’s side at the top of the early-season table.

Arsenal’s victory was more hard-fought than the scoreline suggested, with the saved penalty proving a pivotal moment before Guimaraes struck shortly afterwards. Arteta remained unhappy with the award of Sunderland’s spot-kick, arguing that Dan Ballard had performed a “judo roll” on Ezri Konsa and that the game had been left “unprotected”. The Premier League subsequently said VAR checked and confirmed the penalty and second yellow card for Reinildo, whose challenge was judged a genuine attempt to play the ball but still an obvious goal-scoring opportunity denial. Arsenal’s resilience and Raya’s intervention extended their winning run to four league matches.

Chelsea’s difficult start under Xabi Alonso continued as they surrendered the lead twice in a 2-2 draw with unbeaten Hull City at Stamford Bridge. Morgan Rogers put the home side ahead early, but Hull turned the match around through Mohamed Belloumi, who scored twice as the promoted visitors punished Chelsea’s defensive errors. Chelsea eventually recovered enough to level the contest, leaving both sides with a point from an eventful encounter. Hull’s result extended an impressive opening sequence after promotion, following victories over Manchester United and Coventry City and a goalless draw with Aston Villa.

The draw strengthened Hull’s reputation as one of the season’s early disruptors, particularly because the Tigers remained unbeaten against established top-flight opposition. Their defensive record had been a major feature of the opening weeks, although Chelsea became the first team to score against them before Belloumi’s intervention changed the game. For Chelsea, the repeated loss of control was a concern in a match they had appeared to command after taking the lead. Alonso’s side now face continued scrutiny over their defensive organisation, while Hull’s ability to recover from setbacks suggested they could compete confidently beyond the initial excitement surrounding their return to the division.

Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult opening to Roberto De Zerbi’s reign deepened with a 0-0 draw against Everton. Spurs remained without a Premier League goal after four matches, extending a barren run that had lasted more than six hours of league football. Their supporters displayed a “Please Score A Goal” banner before kick-off, but the team could not answer that request despite controlling periods of the contest. Tottenham began positively, yet Everton finished the first half more strongly and created the clearer opportunities after the interval. The result left Spurs still searching for their first league victory of the season after a summer rebuild costing more than £300 million.

The concern for Tottenham was not simply the absence of goals but the lack of attacking threat as the match progressed. De Zerbi described the need to get the team “unblocked”, but his side produced little near Jordan Pickford’s goal despite enjoying possession. Everton also missed chances, with James Garner’s free-kick saved and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall unable to capitalise on a mistake from Antonin Kinsky. Spurs’ goalless start was unprecedented for the club across the opening four league games in all four divisions, placing immediate pressure on a project intended to deliver a more forceful and ambitious style.

Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Anfield, giving Alvaro Arbeloa’s visitors their first Premier League point of the season. The home side handed Bradley Barcola his first league start but looked sluggish after their midweek Champions League exertions. Victor Munoz headed against the crossbar in the first half, while Fulham created the clearer opportunities after the interval. Josh King forced a save from Alisson and Rodrigo Muniz missed a strong chance after being found by substitute Kevin. Alexander Isak went close in stoppage time but headed wide from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The stalemate represented another frustrating home result for Liverpool, who remained unbeaten but drew three of their first four league matches under manager Andoni Iraola. Fulham arrived after losing their opening three games, yet showed enough composure in possession to control long periods and threaten a surprise victory. Liverpool’s attack lacked its usual sharpness, with the crossbar and Fulham’s resistance denying the breakthrough. For Arbeloa, the point offered an important platform after a difficult beginning; for Iraola, the draw increased the need for Liverpool to turn territorial pressure into victories, particularly at Anfield.

Nottingham Forest secured their first Premier League victory of the season by beating Aston Villa 2-1, giving Oliver Glasner his first league win as manager. Liam Delap put Forest in front before Alysson equalised for Villa. Igor Jesus restored Forest’s advantage late in the second half, completing a result that lifted the home side after a difficult opening sequence. Nigeria international Ola Aina played the full match for Forest, while the defeat ended Villa’s unbeaten start. The result was one of the day’s notable changes at the lower end of the table, with Forest finally converting their promising moments into three points.

Forest’s response after Villa’s equaliser was particularly significant, as Jesus’s late goal ensured the hosts did not have to settle for another draw. Glasner therefore began his league tenure with a result that could provide confidence after the side’s earlier struggles. Villa, meanwhile, were unable to reproduce the defensive solidity that had helped them hold Hull City to a goalless draw in their previous league outing. Forest’s victory also added pressure to the teams still seeking their first win, while confirming that the early table remained unsettled beyond Arsenal’s flawless run.