Southampton of England youngster, Nathan Tella continued the majestic form of Nigerian players in this year’s edition of the Carabao Cup, as he scored for The Saint on a night Bukayo Saka also hit target for Arsenal.
While Saka made the best of his starting role against West Bromwich Albion, who did not dress Semi Ajayi for the home encounter at The Hawthorns, Tella made hay early with Southampton in a mammoth victory away to Newport County.
Megasportsaena.com reports that Tella’s 15th minute goal was on among many, as The Saints demolished Newport 8-0 and registered the biggest away win in the club’s history.
What had been viewed as a tricky assignment given Newport’s reputation as giant-killers turned into a cakewalk as Saints improved on various 6-0 away wins down the years.
Mohamed Elyounoussi grabbed a hat-trick and Armando Broja scored twice, while Tella, Kyle Walker-Peters and Nathan Redmond also netted as Saints cruised into round three. They head to Championship side Sheffield United.
Similarly, Saka struck in the 50th minute, as Arsenal got their season up and running by coasting to victory in their second-round Carabao Cup tie at West Brom – with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hitting a hat-trick on his return to the side.
With pressure building on Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta already after two defeats at the start of the new Premier League campaign, there was welcome relief as the Gunners smashed their hosts 6-0, setting up a third-round tie against League One side AFC Wimbledon.
Heading into the game, Arteta’s side were without a win, or a goal, this season, so the under pressure Spanish tactician decided to name a very strong side, with Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Aubameyang all on from the start, such that they produced a devastating attacking display to push aside the English Championship outfit.
Aubameyang had been struck down by Covid on the eve of the new season, missing the loss at Brentford and coming off the bench in the defeat to Chelsea.
He will not have scored many easier goals than the first-half double he grabbed here before adding a fine third for the match ball as Nicolas Pepe, Saka and Alexandre Lacazette also found the back of the net.
Saka was lively and Martin Odegaard impressed on his second debut for the club following his permanent switch from Real Madrid last week – but Arteta and his side will not be judged on such tests as this.
While the Arsenal starting XI boasted 348 senior international caps and three national captains in Aubameyang, Odegaard and Granit Xhaka – West Brom made 11 changes from their win at Blackburn, handing out five debuts with an average age of under 23.
