Arsenal moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City after a 2–0 victory over Everton at a rain-soaked Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Goals from defenders Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães ensured the champions took full advantage of City’s earlier 2–1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Konsa opened the scoring in the seventh minute, bundling the ball in at the back post after Gabriel’s header from Martin Ødegaard’s corner was deflected and clawed onto the crossbar by Jordan Pickford. It was Konsa’s first goal for Arsenal since joining from Aston Villa in August, and Arsenal’s first non-penalty set-piece goal of the season.

Gabriel doubled the lead in the 68th minute, rising to head Ben White’s cross into the bottom-left corner on his 200th Premier League appearance. Substitute Bruno Guimarães had slipped White in down the right before the full-back delivered the decisive cross.

Everton created chances of their own, with Tyrique George’s first-half effort deflected behind and Thierno Barry forcing a save from David Raya. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also went close late on, directing a glancing header wide from James Garner’s cross seven minutes from time.

The result left Arsenal and City level on 21 points after eight matches, with City retaining top spot on goal difference. Arsenal recorded a seventh win in eight league games and a ninth consecutive home victory, while Everton remained ninth on 10 points.