Arteta criticises ‘inconsistent’ refereeing after draw with Arsenal as Everton squander a two-goal lead and lose

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was furious with what he saw as inconsistent refereeing after Declan Rice's sending off resulted in Arsenal losing their first English Premier League points in a 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

Bottom-placed Everton could only lament their own inconsistency – and inability to defend crosses – after letting a 2-0 lead slip in the dying minutes to lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth. Brentford, meanwhile, showed once again that they can cope well without Ivan Toney by beating Southampton 3-1.

Everton and Southampton remained at the bottom of the table without a point, while Arsenal and Brighton's perfect start to the league came to an end.

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were leading 1-0 and looked to have the game under control when Rice was shown a second yellow card in the 49th minute, apparently for pushing the ball aside as Joel Veltman attempted a quick free-kick deep in Brighton's half of the pitch near the touchline.

Veltman kicked Rice from behind and the home crowd screamed for a penalty for the Brighton player, but referee Chris Kavanagh showed Rice the red card instead.

“I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because decisions can be so inconsistent,” Arteta said, arguing that similar offences had gone unpunished earlier in the game. “According to the law, he (Kavanagh) can make the decision. But according to the law, he then has to make the next decision, which is a red card (for Veltman). So we play 10 against 10.”

This decision turned the game completely on its head and Joao Pedro equalized in the 58th minute with a rebound after David Raya had blocked a shot from Yankuba Minteh.

Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead in the 38th minute with a lob over goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and had a chance to restore Arsenal's lead in the 74th minute when he again ran towards goal, but his low shot was saved this time.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka also pointed out that Pedro got off without a booking because he had kicked the ball away much more forcefully in the first half to prevent Arsenal from taking a quick throw-in.

“We just want some consistency,” said Saka. “Joao Pedro kicked the ball halfway in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec only touched it very lightly and was sent off.”

Saka also had a late chance to score the winning goal after a cross from Havertz, but his attacking attempt did not cause Verbruggen any major problems.

Brighton and Arsenal were two of four teams to win their first two league games and the tie gives defending champions Manchester City a chance to go top of the table if they beat West Ham away in a late kick-off on Saturday.

Liverpool also has six points from two games and will play at Manchester United on Sunday.

Everton collapses

Everton's poor start to last season at Goodison Park was made worse on Saturday as frustrated home fans streamed out of the stadium after the final whistle.

Everton looked set to claim their first points of the season after Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave them a 2-0 lead that lasted until the 87th minute. But when Antoine Semenyo reduced the deficit, Everton's players and fans seemed to get nervous and Lewis Cook took advantage, heading home the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.

With Goodison Park in shock, Bournemouth continued to press forward and scored a winner in similar fashion when Luis Sinisterra headed in another cross unhindered at the far post three minutes later.

Bournemouth increased their season tally to five points after opening the season with two draws.

Toney watches Mbuemo shine

Toney was in attendance from the stands to watch Brentford complete their move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli on the final day of the season on Friday, and watched as Bryan Mbuemo took over his role as goalscorer instead.

Mbuemo scored the first two goals and Yoanne Wissa added the third, making it a frustrating Southampton debut for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsey, who joined from Arsenal this week, but Southampton did score their first goal of the season when Yukinari Sugawara scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time.

In addition, Aston Villa won 2-1 in Leicester, newly promoted Ipswich picked up its first point with a 1-1 draw against Fulham and Nottingham Forest also played 1-1 at home against Wolves. ___

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