By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
UK, 18 October 2026 - Arsenal bounced back to reclaim second place in the Premier League from Brighton & Hove Albion, as a second-half goal from Noni Madueke secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The visitors struggled to find a way through, and the first half ended 0-0. In the 80th minute, Madueke struck a determined shot that was too powerful for the Forest defenders and beat the goalkeeper to settle the match.
Speaking after the match, Madueke said the game had been very tough. He referred to Brighton’s win over Arsenal in the Premier League before the recent international break.
“The EPL can shock you. We tried hard and we had to go back to the drawing board,” said Madueke, the Player of the Match.
He stressed that determination and hard work earned The Gunners the crucial three points at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest’s home stadium.
The result lifts Arsenal to 18 points from seven matches, three behind leaders Manchester City on 21, who beat Ipswich 3-2 on Saturday to maintain their perfect record. Brighton, who had moved up to second earlier on Sunday, drop to third on 16 points after a well-deserved 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at the American Express Stadium.
Brighton took the lead in the fourth minute, when Pascal Groß’s free kick was headed into his own net by Jaydee Canvot. Diego Gómez extended the lead in the seventh minute, and Yasin Ayari made it 3-0 in the 10th minute. Charalampos Kostoulas added a fourth in the 49th minute, before Jack Hinshelwood scored a fifth in the 87th minute.
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Brighton have been consistent and are scoring freely. On 19 September 2026 they beat Arsenal 3-0, with Groß, Kostoulas and Chema Andrés all finding the back of the net. Even in their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 30 August 2026, they scored three against Xabi Alonso’s side.
In another match on Sunday, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United. Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead in the 35th minute, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for Leeds in the 51st minute. Elsewhere, AFC Bournemouth beat Sunderland 2-0.
Chelsea are fourth with 13 points, followed by Liverpool in fifth with 12. Brentford, Leeds United and Everton occupy sixth to eighth, each on 10 points. Hull City and Ipswich Town are ninth and tenth, both on nine points.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa are 11th and 12th, level on eight points. Manchester United and Crystal Palace are 13th and 14th with seven points each. Bournemouth and Coventry City are on six points, in 15th and 16th.
Fulham and Nottingham Forest are on five points, in 17th and 18th, while Sunderland are 19th with four points. Tottenham Hotspur are bottom with three points.