Arsenal deliver statement fightback to end Chelsea’s flying start

Arsenal delivered an emphatic response to Chelsea’s emergence as potential Premier League title contenders with a 2-1 win that ended their rivals’ unbeaten start on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side trailed to Morgan Rogers’ second-minute goal in a pulsating London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

But the champions showed why they are firm favourites to retain the title with a blistering response to that early setback. newsindata.org

Kai Havertz bagged the equaliser against his former club midway through the first half and Martin Odegaard netted Arsenal’s winner soon after the interval.

It was a statement of intent from second-placed Arsenal, who have won all three league matches to sit behind leaders Manchester City on goal scored.

The Gunners’ mature display underlined their desire to win the club’s first back-to-back titles since the 1930s.

For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, the defeat ended his three-game winning run in all competitions since taking charge at Stamford Bridge in the close-season.

Alonso will realise just how much work Chelsea still have to do before they are in position to end a title drought dating back to 2017.

Chelsea’s shaky defence is prone to costly miscues, while their vaunted attack found it harder to flourish against Arsenal than in their free-scoring wins over Fulham, Luton and Brighton.

Arteta and Alonso have known each other since their days as childhood friends in the Basque region of Spain.

The chaotic matches of their youth on a gravel pitch in the Berio district of San Sebastian would have seemed calm in comparison to the blood and thunder their teams brought to a raucous corner of north London.

Chelsea beat Arsenal in the race to sign Rogers from Aston Villa in the close-season after the Gunners refused to match the Blues’ £117 million ($158 million) bid for the England midfielder.

Rogers showed why Chelsea made him the most expensive British player in history as he put the Blues ahead after just 77 seconds.

– Incisive Arsenal –

Arsenal’s rock-solid defence had allowed just one shot on target in their first two games.

So often masters of the set-piece, Arteta’s men were found wanting at a free-kick for once.

Reece James’ lofted delivery wasn’t cleared by Declan Rice or Odegaard, giving Rogers the chance to drive a low volley past David Raya from the edge of the penalty area.

It was the first goal conceded by Arsenal this season.

Having conceded five times in their first two league games under Alonso, Chelsea’s three-man central defence remains flawed and they were exposed again in the 25th minute.

Havertz was allowed to drift from the right flank to the edge of the area unchecked by Jorrel Hato before the German smashed a low strike through the slow to react Maxence Lacroix’s legs and past Emiliano Martinez at his near post.

Martinez was signed from Villa to replace the error-prone Robert Sanchez but the Argentine’s weak attempted save was hardly an improvement on his hapless predecessor.

Pedro Neto was inches away from restoring Chelsea’s lead just before half-time when the Portugal winger slapped his shot against the far post.

Where Chelsea were profligate, Arsenal have developed a ruthless touch in front of goal.

They exploited Chelsea’s weakness at the back to net with a superb-crafted move in the 50th minute.

Christos Tzolis has made an impressive start following his close-season move from Club Brugge and the Greek winger’s incisive pass sliced through the Chelsea defence to Havertz.

The German’s clever dummy let the ball run through to Odegaard and he kept his composure to slot home from 10 yards.

Rogers’ angry clash with Rice prompted mocking chants of “you should have signed for a big club” from Arsenal fans.

Chelsea had chances to silence the taunts, but Malo Gusto blazed over from a good position before Estevao Willian’s rocket was tipped over by Raya in the final minutes.

La troisième journée de Ligue 1 a confirmé les bonnes dispositions de Rennes et de Strasbourg. Les Bretons ont décroché à Angers (2-1) un deuxième succès consécutif, tandis que les Alsaciens ont signé une démonstration offensive à Troyes (6-2). Deux victoires obtenues de manière très différente, mais qui placent les deux équipes parmi les formations les mieux lancées de ce début de saison.

Rennes garde le cap

À Angers, Rennes a rapidement posé les bases de son succès. Les hommes de Franck Haise ont pris le contrôle des débats dès les premières minutes et ont été récompensés par Przemyslaw Frankowski, qui a parfaitement exploité le centre en retrait de Szymanski pour ouvrir le score à la 9e minute.

Le deuxième but est arrivé quelques instants plus tard, cette fois avec l’aide de Jordan Lefort. Sous la pression de Mousa Al-Tamari, le défenseur angevin a voulu intervenir sur un centre rennais mais a finalement trompé son propre gardien. En moins de vingt minutes, le Stade Rennais avait pris une avance qui semblait lui permettre de gérer la suite.

Angers a pourtant réagi. Carlens Arcus a réduit l’écart de la tête sur corner à la 35e minute, avant qu’Amin Sbaï ne manque de peu l’égalisation. Rennes a ensuite conservé la maîtrise globale de la rencontre, mais sans parvenir à inscrire ce troisième but qui aurait définitivement mis le SCO hors de portée.

La fin de match a ainsi offert quelques frayeurs aux visiteurs. À la 88e minute, la tête de Mamadou Usman Simbakoli a notamment heurté la transversale. Rennes a tenu jusqu’au bout et décroche donc une deuxième victoire consécutive après celle obtenue face au Mans (3-2). Avec 7 points en trois journées, le club breton occupe la quatrième place, à seulement deux longueurs du leader monégasque.

Strasbourg, cette fois, ne s’est pas contenté de gagner

À Troyes, Strasbourg a vécu une rencontre d’un tout autre registre. L’ESTAC avait pourtant pris le meilleur départ et aurait pu creuser l’écart. Antoine Mille a ouvert le score dès la 9e minute, avant que Filip Jörgensen ne réalise une intervention déterminante devant Adrien-Mehdi Monfray quelques minutes plus tard.

Mais Strasbourg a progressivement changé le cours du match. Les Alsaciens ont frappé deux fois en seulement trois minutes : Jacobo Ortega a égalisé à la 40e minute, puis Diogo Sousa a donné l’avantage aux visiteurs à la 42e. Deux actions qui ont complètement inversé la dynamique avant la pause.

Troyes n’a jamais réellement réussi à retrouver son élan après le repos. Giovanni Reyna a porté le score à 3-1 à la 57e minute, avant que Strasbourg ne profite des espaces laissés par une défense troyenne en grande difficulté. Samuel Amo-Ameyaw a alors inscrit deux buts en trois minutes, aux 85e et 88e, puis Conrad Harder a définitivement parachevé le succès alsacien dans le temps additionnel.

Le score final, 6-2, ne résume pourtant pas à lui seul la physionomie de la rencontre. Troyes avait longtemps donné l’impression de pouvoir rivaliser, mais Strasbourg a fait la différence par son efficacité et la qualité de ses individualités. Gessime Yassine, notamment, a joué un rôle majeur dans le retournement de situation avec une passe décisive pour Ortega et une activité constante dans le secteur offensif.

Deux styles, une même dynamique

Rennes et Strasbourg avancent donc avec des certitudes différentes. Le Stade Rennais séduit par sa capacité à prendre rapidement les commandes et à conserver son avantage malgré la pression adverse. Strasbourg, après son lourd revers initial à Marseille (0-4), vient de répondre de la meilleure des manières avec deux victoires consécutives, dont une particulièrement spectaculaire à Troyes.

Après trois journées, les deux clubs figurent déjà dans le haut du classement. Rennes compte 7 points, Strasbourg s’installe également parmi les équipes bien placées, tandis que leurs trajectoires commencent à attirer l’attention. Pour les Bretons comme pour les Alsaciens, le plus important sera désormais de confirmer cette première impression. Le début de saison est réussi ; il reste maintenant à lui donner une vraie continuité.

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Defending champions Griquas stormed into the Currie Cup showpiece after a dominant semi-final victory over the Lions in Kimberley on Sunday.

The title-holders scored seven tries in a 52-12 thrashing of the Pride at Griqua Stadium, and now await the winner between the Cheetahs and Pumas in Bloemfontein.

Pieter Bergh’s men arrived in the knockout phase in superb form, having won six straight matches after an opening-round defeat to the Stormers XXIII and finishing the league phase top of the table.

Converted tries from loose forwards Lourens Oosthuizen and Marco de Witt put Griquas 14-0 up within 12 minutes.

Hahaha The Lions had looked to establish a foothold, but two crucial errors allowed centre Mnombo Zwelendaba to spark the attack, with De Witt rounding it off.

The visitors got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute through hooker Armand Combrinck, but Griquas quickly restored their momentum, with Zwelendaba going over in the 29th minute.

Flyhalf George Whitehead was on song from the kicking tee, kicking all three conversions.

Three minutes later, the hosts extended their lead. Whitehead stabbed a kick through for fullback Stefan Coetzee, who powered over the tryline.

There was still time for Griquas to add one more before the interval, with hooker Tiaan Lange continuing his prolific try-scoring form to make it a commanding 35-5 lead.

One way traffic

It remained one-way traffic in the third quarter as Oosthuizen grabbed a second try. Whitehead was given a rest after his perfect performance, with Liam Koen replacing him and slotting a conversion.

The smattering of Lions fans had something to cheer, as Junior Springbok star Ethan Adams powered over for his second try of the 2026 Currie Cup. The extra two points were added by No 10 Matt Coetzee.

With less than 10 minutes to go, Griquas reserve scrumhalf Jack Hart snuck his way over the line for his first try in peacock blue. Koen split the uprights, and then took the home team beyond 50 with a penalty kick at the death.

GRIQUAS – Tries: Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Marco de Witt, Mnombo Zwelendaba, Stefan Coetzee, Tiaan Lange, Jack Hart. Conversions: George Whitehead (5), Liam Koen (2). Penalty: Koen.
LIONS – Tries: Armand Combrinck, Ethan Adams. Conversion: Matt Coetzee.

This story was first published on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.

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