Arsenal stay perfect as Manchester derby headlines Sunday
Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light on 12 September to protect their perfect start to the Premier League season. It was calm, controlled and just a little controversial. And it set the table for a packed Sunday. The Guardian
Bruno Guimarães scored to put Arsenal in front. The visitors looked in charge. Then the game shifted.
Referee John Brooks awarded Sunderland a penalty after an incident involving Ezri Konsa and Dan Ballard. A penalty is a free shot from 12 yards with only the goalkeeper to beat. It is often a turning point.
Enzo Le Fée took it for Sunderland. David Raya saved it. Arsenal held firm from there to close out the 2-0 win, with Guimarães, Bukayo Saka and Raya all picked out as key contributors in the live reporting. The game was played in Sunderland, as listed by Reuters Connect. Reuters Connect
Manager Mikel Arteta was angry about the spot-kick afterwards. He said the decision was unacceptable and should never have happened, according to The Guardian's buildup blog on 13 September. Raya's save made the argument academic.
The Premier League's Saturday Wrap confirmed the wider picture: Arsenal maintained their perfect start while Hull held Chelsea to an away draw. Premier League
That form hangs over Sunday 13 September. Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby, the rivalry match between the city's two clubs. The buildup blog names Michael Carrick as United manager and Enzo Maresca as City manager for the showdown.
City arrived with a 100% league record of their own. They are chasing Arsenal at the top. Win in the derby and the gap shrinks. Lose and Arsenal pull further clear.
It is not the only derby of the day. Rangers meet Celtic at Ibrox in the Scottish League Cup. It is the Old Firm, the historic Glasgow rivalry between Scotland's two biggest clubs. Expect noise.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Coventry are scheduled to host Brighton. The Women's Super League, England's top women's division, is also part of Sunday's live coverage.
What makes this stand out is the spread. A title race, local pride and one big goalkeeping moment. For fans, this means plenty to talk about together on Monday morning.
