Holders Liverpool, Arsenal score big League Cup wins
Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo have scored two goals apiece as holders Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield to move into the fourth round of the League Cup.
Arsenal crushed third-tier Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in Wednesday night’s other tie.
West Ham opened the scoring on Merseyside when Wataru Endo’s attempt to clear a corner kick ricocheted off Jarell Quansah and past keeper Caoimhin Kelleher for an own goal.
The Hammers’ celebrations were short-lived as Jota equalised four minutes later, leaping to head home Federico Chiesa’s acrobatic volley. Jota netted his second in the 49th minute when Curtis Jones slotted a reverse pass to the Portuguese player who scored into the bottom corner.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah all but put the game away in the 74th when he knocked in the rebound off Alexis Mac Allister’s shot. Gakpo added to Liverpool’s lead with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.
The Reds captured a record 10th League Cup title last season, manager Juergen Klopp’s final trophy with the team before he stepped down at the end of the campaign.
In London, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri scored twice – the 17-year-old’s first goals and his first start for the club – while Raheem Sterling netted his debut goal for the Gunners. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz also scored at the Emirates Stadium, while Aaron Collins netted Bolton’s lone goal.
On a night when some of Arsenal’s next generation showcased their talent, goalkeeper Jack Porter became the youngest player to start for the Londoners aged 16 years, 72 days. Porter broke the record of club icon, Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years, 177 days when he made his first start.
But Nwaneri holds the record as the youngest player to appear for Arsenal’s first team, having come on as a substitute aged 15 years, 181 days in September 2022.
With AP.
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