January 11, (THEWILL) — Portsmouth took an early lead at Fratton Park on Sunday, but were ultimately overwhelmed 4-1 by Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. Colby Bishop put the home side ahead within three minutes after the English Premier League leaders produced unusually poor defending.
The visitors responded swiftly and had turned the match around by the 25th minute. Andre Dozzell turned the ball into his own net from a set-piece before hat-trick hero, Gabriel Martinelli, nodded in his first from a Noni Madueke corner to complete the turnaround.
Madueke squandered a penalty before the interval, slicing wide after earning the spot-kick himself. Martinelli had struck the woodwork moments before the English winger won the penalty.
Arsenal extended their advantage early in the second half when Martinelli slid in to convert a Gabriel Jesus cross. The forward completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, heading home from another dangerous Madueke corner.
Martinelli had faced criticism following Thursday’s draw with Liverpool, when he shoved injured defender Conor Bradley off the pitch during the match. The Brazil international answered his critics with three goals to send Arsenal through to the fourth round.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
