Haaland Downs United as City Match Arsenal at the Top

Manchester City took the spotlight on Sunday, winning the Manchester derby with ten men, keeping pace with Arsenal at the top, while United remain in thirteenth place with just four points. Earlier, Brighton produced the result of the round away from home. And Leeds closed the matchweek by thrashing Newcastle.

Haaland decides a derby full of controversy

Manchester City prevailed in a scrappy derby, despite playing a man down for more than an hour. A very difficult match in which Manchester United was the better side, even before Foden’s sending off, which was the first notable incident of the game, occurring in the 23rd minute, when the Englishman kicked Bruno Fernandes after being fouled twice in the build-up. In any case, the excitement was slow to arrive at Old Trafford. The highlight of the first half was a free kick from Rashford that struck the post.

United dominated the numerical advantage, and Mainoo hit the post again in the second half from the edge of the box, while Mbeumo and Cunha kept creating chances. But City’s defense, marshalled by Donnarumma, held firm. The breakthrough came in the 60th minute, when Josko Gvardiol's low cross deflected into the six-yard box for Erling Haaland to finish from close range. Despite the controversy, the goal survived a VAR check for a possible offside against Enzo Fernández in the buildup. The Norwegian settled the derby with his sixth goal in the last four matches, and the ninth in eleven matches against their neighbors. United tried until the very end but every attempt was unsuccessful. They finished with more possession (55%) and more shots (16 to 7), however, City held on for the win, moving level with Arsenal on 12 points from four games.

In the day's other fixture, Brighton put five past a Coventry side still searching for its first point of the season, winning 5-0 away from home. The result lifts Brighton into the top four, while Coventry remain bottom of the table without a win and with the division's worst goal difference.

Leeds close out the round with a rout

Leeds United and Newcastle closed matchweek 4 on Monday, when Leeds put four goals past Jaissle’s team at Elland Road. The scoring opened in the 32th minute with an attempt by Ao Tanaka that was deflected, resulting in an own goal by Lewis Miley. Two minutes later, before Newcastle could process the blow, Jayden Bogle extended the lead. And just before half time Calvert-Lewin turned it into a rout.

Noah made it 4-0 in the 59th minute. The Magpies rarely threatened beyond a couple of half-chances for Yoane Wissa, and did not get on the scoresheet until the 90th minute, when Bazoumana Touré pounced on a mistake from Tarik Muharemovic for a consolation goal. The result lifts Leeds above Hull City into third place on goal difference, while Newcastle drop to 12th.

Table after matchweek 4

Next standout fixtures

• Brighton vs Arsenal
• Tottenham vs Aston Villa
• Brentford vs Chelsea
• Manchester City vs Sunderland
• Fulham vs Manchester United
• Bournemouth vs Liverpool

In addition to these league fixtures, the entire FA Cup round takes place midweek.