Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Jesus and Havertz goals send hosts top
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton: Hosts move temporarily top of the table after second-half strikes from Jesus and Havertz
Arsenal moved temporarily top of the Premier League as they coasted to a comfortable 2-0 home win against Brighton courtesy of goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated much of the early opening exchanges but struggled to find an opening in the first half, with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli spurning golden opportunities.
However, their pressure would eventually tell in the second period when Jesus made the most of a defensive error from a corner to put the home side in front.
Brighton, who earlier in the week secured their place in the Europa League knockout rounds, could not reproduce a similar level of performance, with the result put beyond doubt in the 88th minute when Havertz cooly slotted under Verbruggen.
Relive the match action from our blog, below:
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
GOAL! Arsenal have the breathing space they so desperately wanted as Havertz doubles the lead late on! Brighton commit bodies forward looking for an equaliser and Arsenal can break. Nketiah surges through the middle before slipping the German through and goal and he makes no mistake, slotting past Verbruggen to surely put the result beyond doubt.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Hinshelwood gets up well to meet Gross' delivery from the left, but the youngster doesn't get the contact he wants on the ball and it ends up bouncing harmlessly wide.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
WHAT A CHANCE!!! Brighton have barely had a kick going forward, but they really should be level! Pedro slides a neat pass down the left for Mitoma, who fires a cross into the box. Gross is there in the middle, and it looks for all the world like he will turn home for a Seagulls equaliser. However, he somehow manages to shoot the wrong side of the post! What a let-off for Arsenal!
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Another chance to put the game to bed goes begging for Arsenal as a marauding run from Rice takes him all the way into the Brighton box. He bursts past Van Hecke before firing goalwards, but Verbruggen is able to block the midfielder's effort.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Trossard also enters the fray, coming on for Martinelli on the Gunners' left wing.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Arteta makes his first changes of the game. Jesus, whose goal could prove to be the winner, trudges off for Nketiah.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
De Zerbi's changes have had little impact so far. Arsenal have continued to dominate, but as long as the lead is just the one goal, the home crowd could be in for a nervy final 12 or so minutes.
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Substitution Simon Adingra Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Gilmour goes in the book for a crunching challenge on Jesus in midfield.
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