Eze scores first Arsenal goal, Newcastle crush Bradford in the EFL Cup

The stage was set for another mid-week EFL Cup ties, the venue was Stoke on Trent where Port Vale packed the stadium against big name Arsenal 16,326 people came to see their club against the Gunners, the biggest attendance at Vale Park since the 1990s. Hopes for a miracle were there, off course, since Arsenal had to play the second game against Port Vale in their last meeting in 1998. Eventually, the Gunners came to penalties and won, ending the season with both title and the Cup. So far in 2025, they are on the same path as they won 2-0 and are in the running for both cup and the title. Unlike Mikel Arteta, Eddie Howe didn’t have to worry until the last minute since Newcastle defeated Bradford at home easily – 4:1.

Due to the lack of strength from Port Vale (19th in third league), Arteta decided to make nine changes to his team, and the starting role of Bukayo Saka was totally surprising, giving the fact that he just recovered from the hamstring injury, but Arteta gave him an hour of play in order to prepare him for 90 minutes in Newcastle on Sunday. The team which consisted of Kepa, White, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Saka, Eze and Martinelli was still far too strong for Port Vale and Eze needed only eight minutes to score his first Arsenal goal and it looked it would be a walk in the park for the Gunners but home team kept it tight and even without a proper chance throughout the game, kept the visitors on their toes until the 86th minute, when Trossard finished not so quality game with a goal. Still, the win is all that matters and nobody got injured, and that’s all Arteta needs before the big game with the Magpies.

Eze should have scored the second goal half an hour before the first, but his shot from close range after a great pass by Merino was saved by home team keeper Gauci. Near the end of the first half Port Vale pushed a bit offensively and even generated six touches in Arsenal's box, (one less than Manchester City managed all game against the Gunners) but that was it. Second half was a bit boring and Arteta even brought in Gyokeres and Gabriel just in case but it was Trossard in the 86th minute who ended all worries.

In Newcastle, the Magpies played totally different game. Eddie Howe decided to respect the opponent (Bradford are leaders of the third league) and fielded out a strong first 11 which resulted in four goals, two of which came after only 20 minutes. With such midfield force in Joelington (two goals) and Bruno Guimaraes, the visitors couldn’t do much. Osula also scored a brace and used his rare chance to start for Newcastle.

EFL CUP - ROUND 3

Tuesday

Barnsley - Brighton 0-6 (0-3)

/Gomez 9, 21, 33, 68, Howell 87, Ayari 89/

Burnley - Cardiff 1-2 (0-2)

/Flemming 56 - Colwill 30, Robinson 35/

Fulham - Cambridge 1-0 (0-0)

/Smith Rowe 66/

Lincoln City - Chelsea 1-2 (1-0)

/Street 42 - George 48, Buonanotte 50/

Wigan - Wycombe 0-2 (0-1)

/Boyd-Munce 32, McNeilly 62/

Wolverhampton - Everton 2-0 (1-0)

/Munetsi 29,  Arokodare 87/

Wrexham - Reading 2-0 (0-0)

/Broadhead 57, 70/

Liverpool - Southampton 2-1 (1-0)

/Isak 43, Ekitike 85 - Charles 76/

Wednesday

Huddersfield - Manchester City 0-2 (0-1)

/Foden 19, Savinho 74/

Newcastle - Bradford 4-1 (2-0)

/Joelinton 17, 75 Osula 19, 87 - Cook 79/

Tottenham - Doncaster 3-0 (2-0)

/Palhinha 14, McGrath 17 og, Johnson 90+4/

Port Vale - Arsenal 0-2 (0-1)

/Eze 8, Trossard 86/