Arsenal edge Port Vale in Carabao Cup as City, Newcastle and Spurs progress; Forest begin European campaign
Eberechi Eze's eighth-minute strike seals a 1-0 win at Vale Park; Newcastle, City and Tottenham advance; Nottingham Forest start their European run in Seville against Real Betis
Arsenal edged Port Vale 1-0 in the Carabao Cup third round after Eberechi Eze struck early, in what was a high-tempo start at Vale Park. The Gunners named a heavily rotated side, with nine changes, and moved the ball quickly to ask questions of the Vale defence. Eze found the net in the eighth minute after a swift move on the edge of the box, and Port Vale briefly threatened to mount a response before Arsenal tightened their grip. Ethan Nwaneri came close to adding a second when his bending effort skimmed the post after a deflection, but the strike failed to hit the target.
Arteta said the squad rotation was designed to give minutes to a number of players while maintaining a clear identity of freedom and expression as Arsenal aimed to dominate the game regardless of personnel. Port Vale manager Darren Moore stressed there is no room for error in a one-off Cup tie against a top side.
In the rest of the Carabao Cup schedule, Newcastle United beat Bradford City 2-0, with Joelinton firing in the opener in the 17th minute and Will Osula converting a rebound in the 19th to seal the tie. Manchester City edged Huddersfield Town 1-0 through a strike from Phil Foden in the 19th minute. Tottenham Hotspur also progressed after a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers, with Joao Palhinha opening in the 14th minute, followed by a Doncaster own goal in the 17th.
Across Europe, Nottingham Forest began their European campaign with a visit to Real Betis in Seville, at La Cartuja due to renovations at the Benito Villamarín. Morgan Gibbs-White started for Forest, with Hudson-Odoi deployed on the wing in a starting XI designed to balance attack and industry. Forest looked to build on renewed hopes as they chase a first continental run in decades.
Vale Park, meanwhile, remained a carnival of noise as both teams tried to seize the moment on a big night for Cup ties with a backdrop of European action in Seville. The Carabao Cup Round of 16 and the Europa League schedule added extra layers of intrigue as teams balanced domestic duties with European ambition.
Nottingham Forest’s European return comes amid a wider programme of Cup ties that showcased the depth of English football and the ongoing romance of knockout football. The results in the Cup set up potential fourth-round ties that would feature the country’s top clubs while also spotlighting the ambitions of smaller teams aiming for a long cup run.