Haaland Scores in All Seven Games as Spurs Hit Rock Bottom

The Premier League pauses for three weeks, leaving a table frozen in a state of stark contrast. At the summit, Manchester City and Arsenal occupy the top two spots, their momentum undimmed despite the international break. Below them, Brighton, Brentford, and Leeds United have inserted themselves into the conversation with unexpected consistency. Yet the bottom of the table tells a different story, where London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham languish without a single victory from their first five matches.

New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has won all seven matches in charge since the Community Shield defeat, opening up a three-point lead at the top. The 5-3 victory over Sunderland on Sunday was manic, physical, and decisive. It confirmed that while faces in the dugout have changed, the engine driving the team remains the same relentless force.

Haaland's relentless scoring record

Erling Haaland missed a sitter in the first half against Sunderland, a moment that might have shaken a lesser striker’s focus. But the Norwegian did not waver. Nine minutes from time, the inevitable goal arrived, sealing the win and bringing his tally to seven goals in seven games. That strike also completed a remarkable feat: Haaland has now scored against all 25 Premier League clubs he has faced since his arrival.

His Manchester City career now stands at 169 goals in 205 appearances. This consistency provides a bedrock for Maresca’s side, even as they show defensive vulnerabilities. The Sunderland match exposed cracks in their backline, a reminder that the team is still a work in progress despite the perfect record. The intensity of the attack masks the occasional defensive lapse, but the results speak for themselves.

Arsenal’s defensive machine falters

Reigning champions Arsenal entered the weekend with a 100 percent record, bolstered by summer signings Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes. Their defensive structure had been a hallmark of their title-winning campaign. However, an impressive Brighton side dismantled that armor on Saturday. Mikel Arteta’s side conceded three league goals for the first time since losing to Manchester United in January.

Arteta expressed deep disappointment, noting that basic standards had slipped. It was the Gunners' first league defeat since falling to Manchester City in April. The loss highlights that even with a strengthened midfield and shared goal-scoring from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz, the team remains susceptible to high-pressing opponents. The pain of the defeat is fresh, a necessary jolt in what was supposed to be a dominant start.

Spurs sink to the bottom

Tottenham Hotspur’s summer spend of over £300 million has not translated into on-pitch stability. Manager Roberto De Zerbi faces a crisis as his team sits rock bottom on two points. Saturday’s home defeat to Aston Villa was a nadir. Fans began leaving the stadium in droves after Emiliano Buendia’s brilliant goal put Villa 3-0 up in the 79th minute.

The scene at the stadium was one of frustration and disillusionment. The team’s inability to convert investment into points has created a toxic atmosphere. As the league heads into the international break, the gap between the leading contenders and the struggling Londoners has widened significantly. The next three weeks will be critical for De Zerbi to reset his squad before the season resumes.