In a game valid for the third phase of the FA Cup, Arsenal confirmed their favoritism and beat Portsmouth 4-1 this Saturday, at Fratton Park, guaranteeing a place in the next phase of the competition. Even though they were behind on the scoreboard, the Gunners reacted in the first half and counted on a hat-trick from Gabriel Martinelli to advance to the third phase of the tournament.
Leader of the Premier League and unbeaten in nine games, Arsenal encountered resistance from Portsmouth, only 21st in the Championship, but made their technical superiority count. After Colby Bishop opened the scoring after just three minutes, the visitors equalized with an own goal from André Dozzell and turned it around with Martinelli, who scored with a header after a corner kick. The Brazilian found the net again after a cross from Gabriel Jesus and closed the score again with a set piece.
How was the game
Portsmouth started better and almost opened the scoring. Just two minutes in, Harvey Blair crossed low from the left and Conor Chaplin finished first time, requiring a great save from Kepa Arrizabalaga. In the next move, however, the home team took advantage of the rebound and took the lead: Colby Bishop hit the goalkeeper already on the ground and made it 1-0 after three minutes.
Arsenal’s reaction was quick. At six, after a corner kick by Eberechi Eze, the ball was live almost over the line, Christian Norgaard competed with André Dozzell, who ended up deflecting it against his own team and tying the match. The London team began to press and turned around in the 24th minute, when Noni Madueke took a corner at the first post and Gabriel Martinelli rose free to head the ball into the goal.
