Liverpool survived an Arsenal barrage to seal a place in the English FA Cup fourth round in dramatic fashion as two late goals secured a gritty 2-0 win on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side rode their luck for long spells as Arsenal wasted a series of chances to take the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick into his own net with 10 minutes left and Luis Diaz wrapped up the smash-and-grab raid in stoppage time.
Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited return for Manchester City as the holders thrashed Huddersfield 5-0.
Belgium midfielder De Bruyne had been sidelined since tearing his hamstring during City’s Premier League opener against Burnley in August.
He finally got back in action as a 57th-minute substitute in City’s emphatic victory over the Championship strugglers at the Etihad Stadium.
Chants of ‘Oh Kevin De Bruyne’ echoed around the stands when the 32-year-old replaced Julian Alvarez.
Pep Guardiola’s side were leading by goals from Phil Foden and Alvarez when De Bruyne was introduced.
De Bruyne’s arrival kept the momentum going as City netted three more times through Ben Jackson’s own goal, another Foden effort and a Jeremy Doku strike on his return from injury as a second-half substitute.
Fittingly, Doku’s goal was set up by a deft lofted pass from De Bruyne.
City have stayed afloat without De Bruyne, but his world-class quality in midfield will be a key factor in their bid to retain the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
After winning five major trophies in 2023, City have their sights set on more silverware in the new year and their first step on the road back to Wembley could not have been any easier.
Premier League strugglers Luton were held 0-0 by third-tier Bolton at Kenilworth Road.
In their first top-flight campaign since 1992, Luton’s primary goal is survival and a draining replay was the last thing Hatters boss Rob Edwards needed.
Nottingham Forest were also given a scare by League One opponents as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Blackpool.
Blackpool beat Forest in the third round last year when the Seasiders were in the Championship and almost repeated the trick at the City Ground.
Forest academy graduate Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel netted against his old club with a spectacular diving header in the 25th minute
Albie Morgan doubled Blackpool’s lead in the 27th minute, coolly converting CJ Hamilton’s cross at the far post but Nicolas Dominguez finished off Gonzalo Montiel’s cross in the 39th minute and Morgan Gibbs-White equalised from 18 yards in the 56th minute.
West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw against second-tier Bristol City at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen ran onto Lucas Paqueta’s lofted pass and slotted home in the fifth minute but influential playmaker Paqueta was forced off with an injury midway through the first half in a major blow.
And Tommy Conway sent 9 000 travelling City fans wild in the 61st minute when he fired the equaliser past Lukasz Fabianski.