ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN FIRED Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup with both goals in a routine 2-0 win over Reading tonight.
When these two sides met at the same stage four years ago, Arsenal came back from 4-0 down to win an incredible contest 7-5 after extra-time, but this encounter was a much more straightforward affair.
Arsene Wenger’s men have not lost in all competitions since the opening day of the season, and they were dominant throughout at the Emirates Stadium as Oxlade-Chamberlain broke the deadlock late in the first half.
Although Arsenal had enough chances to tally a handsome score against their second-tier visitors, goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi stood firm for long periods before Oxlade-Chamberlain’s deflected second put the game to bed.
Wenger was able to welcome back Olivier Giroud — who had not featured in just over a month — from injury off the bench, but Lucas Perez was withdrawn with a knock in the second half.
Elsewhere, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Mohamed Diame bagged a brace each as Newcastle strolled into the next round with a 6-0 rout of Preston North End.
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Those goals sandwiched another blow for Preston, a straight red card for former Cork City midfielder Alan Browne on 25 minutes.
The Serbian striker opened the scoring on 19 minutes and Diame’s effort on 38 minutes saw the Magpies take a 2-0 lead in at the break.
Matt Ritchie then scored from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half before Mitrovic grabbed his second just three minutes later to make it 4-0.
Diame then popped up with his second on 87 minutes and Ayoze Perez completed the scoring in injury time.
Hull City also booked their spot in the last eight with a 2-1 win at Bristol City.
Harry Maguire put the visitors in front just before half-time and club captain Michael Dawson doubled that advantage two minutes after the restart.
Lee Tomlin got one back for the Championship side on 90 minutes but it was too little too late for the hosts.
In the game of the night, Leeds goalkeeper Marco Silvestri was the hero as his side overcame Norwich 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
The game finished 1-1 after normal time, Marcus Antonsson’s goal cancelling out Alex Pritchard’s early effort for the Canaries.
Nelson Oliveira seemed to have secured the win for Alex Neil’s side in the first half of extra time but New Zealand international striker Chris Wood levelled matters again on 109 minutes to send the game to penalties.
Silvestri was the shootout hero, making three saves, including one from Ireland international Robbie Brady, allowing Ronaldo Vieira to settle proceedings.
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Oxlade-Chamberlain brace sends Arsenal through while Newcastle hit Preston for six
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN FIRED Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup with both goals in a routine 2-0 win over Reading tonight.
When these two sides met at the same stage four years ago, Arsenal came back from 4-0 down to win an incredible contest 7-5 after extra-time, but this encounter was a much more straightforward affair.
Arsene Wenger’s men have not lost in all competitions since the opening day of the season, and they were dominant throughout at the Emirates Stadium as Oxlade-Chamberlain broke the deadlock late in the first half.
Although Arsenal had enough chances to tally a handsome score against their second-tier visitors, goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi stood firm for long periods before Oxlade-Chamberlain’s deflected second put the game to bed.
Wenger was able to welcome back Olivier Giroud — who had not featured in just over a month — from injury off the bench, but Lucas Perez was withdrawn with a knock in the second half.
Elsewhere, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Mohamed Diame bagged a brace each as Newcastle strolled into the next round with a 6-0 rout of Preston North End.
Those goals sandwiched another blow for Preston, a straight red card for former Cork City midfielder Alan Browne on 25 minutes.
The Serbian striker opened the scoring on 19 minutes and Diame’s effort on 38 minutes saw the Magpies take a 2-0 lead in at the break.
Matt Ritchie then scored from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half before Mitrovic grabbed his second just three minutes later to make it 4-0.
Diame then popped up with his second on 87 minutes and Ayoze Perez completed the scoring in injury time.
Hull City also booked their spot in the last eight with a 2-1 win at Bristol City.
Harry Maguire put the visitors in front just before half-time and club captain Michael Dawson doubled that advantage two minutes after the restart.
Lee Tomlin got one back for the Championship side on 90 minutes but it was too little too late for the hosts.
In the game of the night, Leeds goalkeeper Marco Silvestri was the hero as his side overcame Norwich 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
The game finished 1-1 after normal time, Marcus Antonsson’s goal cancelling out Alex Pritchard’s early effort for the Canaries.
Nelson Oliveira seemed to have secured the win for Alex Neil’s side in the first half of extra time but New Zealand international striker Chris Wood levelled matters again on 109 minutes to send the game to penalties.
Silvestri was the shootout hero, making three saves, including one from Ireland international Robbie Brady, allowing Ronaldo Vieira to settle proceedings.
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Arsenal EFL Cup Football it's a wrap Newcastle