Reality check for Chelsea, Liverpool go top after thriller at Brentford

LONDON (Reuters): Chelsea tasted defeat for the first time this season as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City earned a statement 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on a day that Manchester United were beaten by Aston Villa and

Pep Guardiola's

Liverpool were held by Brentford.

City ended a poor run against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea thanks to a Gabriel Jesus goal early in the second half.

In the other early kickoff, Manchester United slumped to a first Premier League defeat of the season as they lost 1-0 to Villa with Bruno Fernandes missing a last-gasp penalty.

That paved the way for Liverpool to go top later, although Juergen Klopp's side had to be settle for a point as Brentford secured a 3-3 draw in a thriller.

Liverpool have 14 points from six games with City, Chelsea, United and Everton all on 13 points.

Brighton and Hove Albion could go top with 15 points if they beat Crystal Palace on Monday.

Tuchel had enjoyed mastery over his Man City counterpart Guardiola, winning all three matches against him since arriving at Stamford Bridge in January – a sequence culminating in the Champions League final victory.

But this time Guardiola won the tactical battle as his side dominated possession and barely gave Chelsea, who were joint top before the lunchtime kickoff, a sniff.