Arsenal recorded a 2-1 English Premier League victory at Nottingham Forest to kick off the midweek fixtures on Tuesday, while Luton Town moved out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 rout of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fourth-placed Aston Villa suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Newcastle United, Crystal Palace came from behind to beat visiting Sheffield United 3-2 and struggling pair Fulham and Everton fought out a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus scored and then set up Bukayo Saka’s goal seven minutes later at the City Ground and despite conceding late on the Gunners survived a nervy finish. They are on 46 points after 22 matches.

Despite having 74 per cent possession and 19 shots, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side did not break the deadlock until the 65th minute when Jesus, who played despite struggling with fluid on his knee in the build-up to the match, scored from a very tight angle.

“We have to do what we have to do,” Arteta told BeIN Sports.

“Perform the way that we were doing last year and start of this year, because performances were there, results not. Results are going our way now. We have some momentum, let’s go for it.”

Forest’s relegation fears grew with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in 16th with 20 points, two points above the drop zone.

Luton’s Elijah Adebayo scored a hat-trick and the Hatters went two goals up against Brighton inside the first three minutes to the delight of a raucous Kenilworth Road crowd.

Adebayo opened his tally with a header from close range after 18 seconds before speedy winger Chiedozie Ogbene made it 2-0 after two minutes and 17 seconds.

“It’s a wonderful feeling ... we said we needed to start sharp and two goals in two minutes was the right way to start,” Adebayo told Sky Sports.

“We just kept our foot on the gas. When you come here it’s tough, especially under the lights and the fans make it a fortress for us.”

Luton climbed to 17th on 19 points after 21 games and their victory coupled with Everton’s draw at Craven Cottage took the Merseysiders back into the drop zone with 18 points from 22.

A pair of first-half goals from defender Fabian Schar set Newcastle on track for victory at Villa, ending a run of five successive away defeats in the Premier League for the Magpies.

Swiss centre-back Schar broke the deadlock with a superb half-volley from a corner in the 32nd minute, and he added a second with a close-range finish four minutes later after an Anthony Gordon shot was deflected onto the crossbar.

Newcastle’s third came seven minutes into the second half after an incisive attack down the left culminated in a brilliant ball from Miguel Almiron to Jacob Murphy, and his shot was bundled into his own net by Villa fullback Alex Moreno.

“Set pieces, it’s normal to go forward and today I was in the right position and there was a bit of luck to be there,” a delighted Schar told TNT Sport. “Obviously it was great to help the team with the goals and get the win.”

Villa hadn’t lost at home since February last year before getting beaten for the second time this season by Newcastle.

Palace’s Eberechi Eze and the returning Michael Olise put on a dazzling attacking display in a come-from-behind victory over bottom side Sheffield United that took the Eagles up to 14th on 24 points, relieving some pressure on manager Roy Hodgson.

Eze netted both equalisers while Olise scored the winner after a frantic first half-hour saw Sheffield United take the lead twice with goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and James McAtee.

“I say it all the time. I enjoy playing with him because he’s a top player,” Eze said of Olise.

Everton were lucky to escape with a point at Fulham after being under constant pressure in an action-packed second half.

“I thought the game was a bit flat,” Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said. “Both teams had to create our own energy and tempo.”

Emery gracious in defeat

Birmingham: Aston Villa should be proud of going 17 English Premier League matches unbeaten at home and try to gain some perspective after Newcastle United ended the run on Tuesday, manager Unai Emery said.

A pair of first-half goals from defender Fabian Schar helped Newcastle to a 3-1 win at Villa Park as they became the first team to beat Villa at home in the league since Arsenal’s 4-2 victory in February last year.

Villa had 16 wins and only one draw during their unbeaten home run, and despite the defeat, Emery’s side are flying high in the league.

“The loss has to come one day,” said Emery, who has turned the club’s fortunes around since replacing England great Steven Gerrard in October 2022.

“I’m very proud of our supporters and very proud of the players of the way we did (the unbeaten run). It’s finished because we lost after a very long time being successful here. Always when you are losing it’s a little bit frustrating for the players and supporters, but we have to try to get the perspective we have now with everything we were doing.”

The only sour note for Newcastle was the suspected groin injury that forced ­Alexander Isak off a few minutes before the end of the first half, leaving manager Eddie Howe without a fit bona fide striker.

The manager is hopeful the injury is not too serious and, with Callum Wilson closing on a return to training after a calf ­problem, ­dismissed suggestions Newcastle could dip into the transfer market before Thursday’s deadline.

With inputs from Reuters