Man City go on top, Leeds wreak more misery on Liverpool

Chelsea manager Graham Potter made a nightmare return to Brighton with a 4-1 defeat, while Tottenham went down 2-0 to beat Bournemouth 3-2 to remain third.

City were without top scorer Erling Haaland with a foot injury and were left deadened in attack without the Norwegian’s firepower.

But a magic moment from De Bruyne was enough as the Belgian’s free-kick hit the post four minutes into the second half on its way past Danny Ward.

City needed a brilliant save from Ederson to prevent another sensational goal from a Belgium international when he deflected Youri Tielemans’ volley onto the bar.

“I want that Kevin and we need that Kevin. He can blind the goals and assists. But we need that kind of commitment in the game and that was the case today,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

With Arsenal absent from the hosts Nottingham Forest until tonight, the win puts City a point ahead of the Gunners at the top of the table.

Liverpool are now 13 points behind City after suffering a Premier League defeat at Anfield in front of fans since losing to Crystal Palace in April 2017.

Leeds started the game bottom of the table but climbed up to 15th^th with their first win in nine games courtesy of Crysencio Summerville’s stunning 89^th minute winner.

Rodrigo’s early opener for the visitors was quickly undone by Mohamed Salah.

But Liverpool have now lost twice as many games in their first 12 league games this season as they did in 38 last season.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking increasingly underdogs only to return to the Champions League next season as they slip to ninth place, still eight points adrift of the top four.

“We can’t qualify for the Champions League if you’re playing as inconsistently as we are at the moment,” said Klopp.

Brighton’s revenge on Potter

Potter has been unbeaten in his first nine games since leaving Brighton to take charge of Chelsea last month.

The Seagulls, by contrast, had not won in their first five games under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, but that all changed in a dominant first half from Brighton.

Leandro Trossard blasted home the first set before Chelsea gifted Brighton two more before half-time when both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah deflected crosses into their own goal.

Kai Havertz’s header early in the second half returned a goal but Pascal Gross rounded off a memorable win for Brighton late on.

“It felt good…until the game started,” Potter said of his return to the South Shore. “There’s no way I’m going to throw the players under the bus because they’ve been brilliant for us.

“I have to take responsibility and try to find a way we can do better.”

Spurs Rally

Tottenham faced a third straight league defeat after Kieffer Moore struck twice for Bournemouth on either side of half-time.

Spurs have looked toothless at times in recent weeks but won the game thanks to two set pieces after Ryan Sessegnon pulled a goal back just before the hour mark.

Ben Davies rose highest and headed in an Ivan Perisic cross to equalize before Rodrigo Bentancur struck the winner home from another corner in added time.

Newcastle underlined their threat to the traditional powers for a place in the top four with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

Callum Wilson batted twice to advance his appeal for England’s World Cup squad with Gareth Southgate in the presence of Gareth Southgate at St James’ Park.

Joelinton rounded off a fine counterattack to make it 3-0 before Miguel Almiron continued his sensational form with his sixth goal in as many games.

Crystal Palace moved into the top half with a 1-0 win over Southampton while Odsonne Edouard scored the only goal at Selhurst Park.

Wolves remain in the bottom three despite coming from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Fulham moved up to seventh place despite wasting many chances in the 0-0 draw with Everton.