Eberechi Eze scored Arsenal’s first goal in a 2-0 victory at Portvale in the English League Cup on Wednesday, with Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham also defeating third-level opponents to advance to the final 16.
Following a summer trip from Crystal Palace, Eze stroked a cool finish eight minutes after running to Myres Lewis Skelly’s clever back heel. Leandro Trossard added a second on the 86th.
Arsenal has formed a massively spinning team for what appears to be the lowest on the list of priorities this season, even as manager Mikel Arteta is increasing pressure to win the club’s first major trophy since 2020.
Pep Guardiola did the same with Man City, but with Phil Foden and the English midfielder, starting with the region, scored their first goal from outside the region, setting Sabigno’s second in a 2-0 victory at Huddersfield.
Joao Palhinha’s overhead kick was the highlight of Tottenham’s 3-0 victory over Doncaster, with Joao Palhinha and William Osla scoring twice for defender champion Newcastle in Bradford’s 4-1 home victory.
The final 16 draw is scheduled for the second half of Wednesday and will be included LiverpoolChelsea and Wrexham – A globally popular second-tier team co-owned by “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds.
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There’s Steve Douglas https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
