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Martinelli hat-trick sends Arsenal past Portsmouth in FA Cup

rugby11 January 2026 17:50| © Reuters
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Gabriel Martinelli scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal as the Premier League leaders beat second-tier strugglers Portsmouth 4-1 to reach the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

The Brazilian was criticised in midweek for his behaviour after Liverpool's Conor Bradley suffered a serious injury near the end of their Premier League clash on Thursday but ended the week in style with his first goals in the FA Cup.

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In other third-round ties on Sunday, West Ham United enjoyed a break from their Premier League woes as they beat second-tier Queens Park Rangers 2-1 after extra time with new signing Valentin Castellanos heading the winner.

Premier League Leeds United beat Derby County 3-1 while third-tier Mansfield Town beat Championship side Sheffield United 4-3 away.

After several shocks already in the third round, including sixth-tier Macclesfield knocking out holders Crystal Palace, another one looked possible when Colby Bishop raised the roof at Fratton Park by putting Portsmouth ahead after three minutes, firing in a rebound after a save by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But 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.

Martinelli glanced in Noni Madueke's corner in the 25th minute to put Arsenal in front and then hit the post soon afterwards from close range.

Madueke put a penalty wide just before halftime to keep Portsmouth in contention, but Arsenal eased away after the break as Martinelli converted from a superb pass by Gabriel Jesus.

He completed his hat-trick with a header 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 line-up, told TNT Sports.

Arsenal are still challenging for silverware on four fronts and face Chelsea in the League Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

The final tie of the day sees Manchester United at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

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