City cling on in the end against Seagulls

Manchester City returned to winning ways with victory over Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday - in what was very much a game of two halves. 

First-half goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland had put City in full control against the Seagulls, as Pep Guardiola's sought to end a run of three successive defeats in domestic competition. 

City's intensity and quality in possession proved too much for Roberto de Zerbi's visitors before the break, as the Seagulls were unable to live with the Citizens' quality and intensity. 

The game's first goal came after just seven minutes when Jeremy Doku set up Julian Alvarez for a first-time finish with his left foot that bounced past Jason Steele in the Brighton goal. 

On 19 minutes, Erling Haaland made it two - the Norwegian picking up the ball 25 yards from goal and drilling a low finish home at Steele's near post. 

With Phil Foden instrumental, City continued to carve out openings - Doku giving James Milner a torrid time out on City's left flank. 

Milner was unsurprisingly hooked by De Zerbi at the break, and Brighton steadily improved in the second period. 

However, Haaland almost claimed his second of the afternoon on 66 minutes when released by Foden, but Steele parried away the striker's fierce drive. 

Brighton were starting to cause problems of their own, however, and City's stand-in keeper Stefan Ortega had to make an excellent block from Kaoru Mitoma after the Japan International had been played through by sub Ansu Fati. 

Former Barcelona forward Fati made an impact off the bench and he reduced the deficit with just over 15 minutes left, Mitoma twisting the life out of Kyle Walker before the ball fell to Fati for a composed right-footed finish. 

City hung on, but they were made to work for the points in the end - the game ending on a sour note for both sides as Brighton's Solly March left the pitch on a stretcher with a serious knee injury, while Manuel Akanji was sent off for the hosts after a second bookable offence.

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— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 21, 2023

Magpies brush aside Palace

Newcastle are in good form of late and the Magpies recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James' Park to rack up their latest victory. 

Jacob Murphy's lobbed effort got the Magpies on their way, after a tense VAR check, and strikes from Anthony Gordon and Sean Longstaff gave Eddie Howe's side a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. 

England striker Callum Wilson added a fourth after the interval to complete Palace's misery. 

Bees claim second win of the campaign

Brentford manager Thomas Frank had claimed in recent weeks that his side had performed well with little reward, but the Bees turned the tide with an important three points this Saturday at home to Burnley. 

On top for the majority of the first period, Brentford took the lead through a Yoann Wissa goal and the West Londoners passed up a number of other presentable chances. 

However, the hosts had a two-goal cushion on 62 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo scored his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign and Saman Ghoddos scored a late third to lift the pressure on Brentford and pile it on Burnley - who finished the game with 10 men after Connor Roberts' red card. 

The other 3pm kick-offs in the top flight saw Luton battle back from 2-0 down to claim a draw at Nottingham Forest, while Wolves pulled off an impressive comeback win at Bournemouth.