Soccer round-up:Teenager Fran Merida netted his first Arsenalgoal as Arsene Wenger's young Gunners beat Liverpool2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup at The Emirates tonight.
Just back from the Under-20 World Cup with Spain, the 19-year-old former Barcelona trainee drilled in a fine first-half strike as Wenger’s faith in youth was once again justified.
Nicklas Bendtner, himself only 21 but now a regular in the side, produced a powerful finish after 50 minutes to put Arsenal into the last eight after Emiliano Insua had equalised.
Despite the wide-scale changes on both sides, a full house had been attracted to the Emirates with ticket prices reduced for the night.
The home fans were not made to wait long for the opener, which came in the 19th minute after Craig Eastmond won the ball off Damien Plessis and it ran kindly for Merida.
The Spaniard was 25 yards out and unleashed a drive that flew off the post and into the top corner — and it got his compatriot Cesc Fabregas jumping with delight in the stands.
Insua's goal was just as spectacular as the opener. Philipp Degan's long ball was nodded back by Ryan Babel and Insua took a touch before beating Likasz Fabianski with a swerving, dipping volley that whistled over the Poland goalkeeper.
Arsenal almost took the lead again when man of the match Aaron Ramsey raced through following a sweeping move. Diego Cavalieri raced out and was beaten by the chip - but Martin Skrtel was back to clear.
Cavalieri was given another let-off when he made a total mess of a Samir Nasri corner just before the break. His defenders bailed him out as Mikael Silvestre and Eduardo looked to pounce, with Bendtner then stabbing at the goalkeeper.
Left-back Kieran Gibbs, looking to impress England manager Fabio Capello in the stands, started the flowing move that led to Bendtner adding the second.
Gibbs collected Merida’s backheel and swept the ball from left to right although the move looked like it could break down before Craig Eastmond clipped a pass back out to Merida.
The cross was meant for Ramsey but Bendtner took control, bursting through Skrtel’s challenge and smashing into the roof of Cavalieri’s net.
To their credit, Liverpool came back strongly as Fabianski had to get down to save a low, 25-yard free-kick from Babel which would have crept inside the keeper’s right-hand post.
Alberto Aquilani, the £20million man coming back from knee surgery, also got a long-awaited run-out, with Plessis making way.
Liverpool almost snatched an equaliser when Dirk Kuyt swept the ball across the six-yard box, but Babel, sliding in, just could not make contact.
Manchester Citycruised into the last eight, brushing aside a brave but outclassed Scunthorpe5-1. The Championship side had tried their best at Eastlands, and at one stage produced a fine first-half equaliser from Jonathan Forte after Stephen Ireland had given City an early lead.
But City were ahead by the break through Roque Santa Cruz, and second-half goals from Joleon Lescott, Carlos Tevez and Michael Johnson set the seal on a commanding performance.
Chelseaalso had an easy ride wih 4-0 victory over Boltonat Stamford Bridge. First-half goals from Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda put the home side in command before Deco and substitute Didier Drogba finished off Gary Megson's side after the break.
Bolton wasted a couple of chances to reduce the arrears but Chelsea were always in control despite the loss of goalkeeper Hilario through injury in the first half.
The win maintained Chelsea's 100 per cent home record under new coach Carlo Ancelotti and even without the likes of rested captain John Terry and his England team-mate Frank Lampard, the Blues continue to look invincible at the Bridge.
In Scotland, Michael Stewart's second-half penalty at Parkhead sent Heartspast Celticand into the semi-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.
The highlight of a dull first half was Andreas Hinkel’s saving clearance with barely a minute gone. The Celtic right back was in the right spot to boot clear after Jambos striker Christian Nade’s shot had beaten Hoops goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.
Hearts keeper Janos Balogh made a good save from Parkhead striker Chris Killen just before the break but neither side deserved an interval lead.
In the 58th minute Hearts midfielder Stewart scored from the spot after Hoops left-back Danny Fox had tripped Christian Nade inside the Celtic box.
Parkhead substitutes Paddy McCourt and Georgios Samaras both hit the woodwork and the Greece international missed several chances before captain Stephen McManus was red-carded for a wild lunge at Andrew Driver with seconds remaining.
