Gabriel Martinelli shrugged off the backlash from his controversial clash with injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley to inspire Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
The Championship side had dreamed of an upset when they took the lead after just three minutes through Colby Bishop, but Arsenal quickly regained control of the match.
Manager Mikel Arteta made 10 changes to his side following Thursday’s goalless draw with Liverpool, but it was set-pieces that helped the Premier League leaders turn the tie around.
The lead for Portsmouth lasted just two minutes, with Christian Norgaard bundling in an equalizer from close range. Martinelli then gave Arsenal the advantage with a flicked finish for his first goal.
Controversy struck in the closing stages of the first half when Martinelli was criticized for attempting to push Conor Bradley off the pitch after the Northern Irish right-back suffered a serious knee injury. Liverpool confirmed on Sunday that Bradley would require surgery and miss the rest of the season. Martinelli later apologized for the incident but appeared unaffected by the ensuing furore as he played on.
Arsenal took control in the second half, with Martinelli adding a second goal in the 50th minute from Gabriel Jesus’ cross, before completing his hat-trick from a corner kick just minutes later.
Portsmouth had a chance to reduce the deficit when Noni Madueke missed a penalty, but the match was already beyond them by then.
In other FA Cup action, Manchester United boss Darren Fletcher is hoping to extend his tenure with a win over Brighton later, while Leeds needed a second-half fightback to beat Derby County 3-1 and advance to the fourth round.
Leeds, who have only lost once in their last nine games, were trailing 1-0 at halftime to Championship side Derby after Chilean striker Ben Brereton Diaz’s first-half goal. However, they bounced back in the second half, with Willy Gnonto equalizing in the 55th minute before Ao Tanaka scored from a rebound to give Leeds the lead.
James Justin sealed the win in stoppage time, rounding off a slick counter-attack for Leeds’ third goal.
AFP
