Premier League: Wins for Arsenal and Newcastle while Brighton hammer 10-man Everton

Saka and Havertz help Gunners start season with three points against Wolves

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates his goal against Wolves. Reuters

Arsenal made the perfect start to their bid to win the Premier League as goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-0 victory against Wolves on Saturday.

Germany international Havertz put Mikel Arteta's side ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, and England winger Saka wrapped up victory after the interval.

A winning start was exactly what was needed with Arteta admitting before the game they will have to be almost perfect to end Manchester City's four-year reign as champions.

City finished two points above Arsenal as the Gunners were forced to settle for a runners-up berth for a second successive season in 2023/24.

Arsenal haven't won the title since Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' went unbeaten through the 2003/04 league campaign.

"At 1-0 it was not enough. We had enough chances in the first half to finish the game but we didn't. Overall very happy," Arteta told the BBC.

"Kai Havertz was involved in a lot of positive actions, he scored a great goal. He is in a good place.

"We should have opened the gap in terms of the scoreline much earlier."

Elsewhere, Newcastle's hopes of a winning start to the season looked in peril when Fabian Schar was sent off after just 28 minutes for what the referee deemed a headbutt on Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz despite minimal contact.

Saints had played well in the early exchanges against the Magpies but failed to convert from 19 shots and nearly 80 per cent possession.

By contrast, Newcastle were clinical as Alexander Isak teed up Joelinton for the only goal just before half-time.

Newcastle's Brazilian goalscorer said: “Southampton are a very good team. They made it difficult for us but I think we did well in the end. The team showed great character to defend and it’s great to start the season with a clean sheet.

“We need to take things game by game. This is just the start. We have big goals this season but we have to make sure we’re ready for when the games come along.”

Everton's final season at Goodison Park got off to a nightmare start as 31-year-old Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler enjoyed a dream opener in the Premier League.

Kaoru Mitoma fired Brighton in front on his return from injury that saw the Japanese international miss much of last season.

Danny Welbeck added a second after the break before Everton were reduced to 10 men when Ashley Young saw red.

Simon Adingra made it 3-0 late on and only a VAR review denied Brighton a fourth through Yasin Ayari.

Antoine Semenyo stepped into the void left at Bournemouth by the departure of Dominic Solanke with a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. Chris Wood had earlier given the hosts the lead.

In the late game, Colombian striker Jhon Duran fired Aston Villa to a 2-1 win at West Ham. Summer signing Amadou Onana gave Villa a fourth-minute lead before Lucas Paqueta's penalty levelled matters late in the first half. Duran, who was the subject of interest from the Hammers earlier in the summer, swept home Jacob Ramsey's pass to seal the three points.