Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli scored his first hat-trick for the Gunners as they beat second-tier side Portsmouth 4-1 to reach the FA Cup fourth round, while Manchester United bowed out as they lost 2-1 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop raised the roof at Fratton Park by putting Portsmouth ahead after three minutes against Arsenal, firing in a rebound after a save by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Record 14-time Cup winners Arsenal were only behind for five minutes as Portsmouth were unable to deal with a set-piece delivery and the ball went in off home player Andre Dozzell for an own goal.
In the 25th minute, Martinelli then glanced in Noni Madueke’s corner to put Arsenal in front and then hit the post soon afterwards from close range.
Arsenal were then awarded a penalty and Noni Madueke stepped up for the spot kick. Madueke put a penalty wide just before halftime to keep Portsmouth in contention.
However, Arsenal eased away after the break as Martinelli converted from a superb pass by Gabriel Jesus to make the score 3-1.
Arsenal continued to push forward and were rewarded again as Martinelli completed his hat-trick.
The forward glanced in another header from a corner as Portsmouth were again unable to defend from an Arsenal set-piece — the 17th goal Arsenal have scored from a corner this season.
“We started the game exactly how we didn’t want to, giving them hope and momentum but we managed to turn things around,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who made 10 changes to his starting lineup, said.
“We had to fight back and credit to (Portsmouth) because they make it difficult for us, especially in the early stages.”
Arsenal are still challenging for silverware on four fronts and face Chelsea in their League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford, losing 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion with Danny Welbeck on target against his former club.
Brajan Gruda’s 12th-minute goal gave Brighton the lead and Welbeck doubled their advantage with a thumping finish midway through the second half.
Benjamin Sesko gave United a lifeline but they could not find an equaliser and their misery was complete as youngster Shea Lacey was shown a red card for a second booking.
Having lost to fourth-tier Grimsby Town in their first match in the League Cup this season, the FA Cup represented United’s only remaining route to silverware. But Brighton deservedly claimed their first win over United in the competition.