EFL round-up: Sterling nets first Arsenal goal, Liverpool crush West Ham

Raheem Sterling, aged 29, netted his inaugural goal for Arsenal, while Jack Porter made history as the youngest starter in the club's history during a commanding 5-1 victory over Bolton in the League Cup on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Liverpool advanced to the last 16 with a similar 5-1 triumph against a struggling West Ham.

Sterling's goal came in the second half of the third-round match at the Emirates Stadium, marking a significant moment in his first start for Arsenal following his transfer from Chelsea on deadline day. This goal is hoped to signify a resurgence in his career after a challenging two-year period at Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta implemented seven changes from the previous Sunday’s intense 2-2 draw against Premier League champions Manchester City, notably giving Porter the opportunity to debut as goalkeeper in place of the injured David Raya.

At just 16 years and 72 days, Porter became the youngest player to start for Arsenal, breaking the previous record held by Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years and 177 days old when he played against Rotherham in 2003.

Porter is now the second youngest player in Arsenal's history, following Ethan Nwaneri, who debuted at 15 years and 181 days in 2022.

Declan Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal in north London after 16 minutes with a precise finish from the edge of the box, marking his first goal of the season. On this record-setting day for Porter, Nwaneri extended Arsenal's lead in the 37th minute with his first goal for the club, finishing from close range after receiving a cross from Sterling.

Nwaneri added another goal just four minutes into the second half with a composed shot from 12 yards. Porter faced his first challenge as Arsenal's goalkeeper in the 53rd minute when Aaron Collins maneuvered around him to score into an empty net.

Sterling found the net again in the 64th minute, converting after a cross from Saka was mishandled by Bolton's goalkeeper, Luke Southwood, while Kai Havertz capped the scoring with a close-range effort in the 78th minute.

West Ham Faces Crisis

At Anfield, Liverpool's substitutes, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo, each netted two goals, leading to a comprehensive defeat of West Ham and intensifying the pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui.

Having secured only one victory in his initial five league matches since taking over from David Moyes, Lopetegui, the former Real Madrid manager, opted for eight changes following a 3-0 loss to Chelsea the previous weekend.

Despite an investment of £120 million in new players, Lopetegui faced the ire of disgruntled fans on Saturday, as he became the first West Ham manager to endure three consecutive home defeats at the start of a season.

The Hammers unexpectedly took the lead in the 21st minute when a misdirected clearance from Kostas Tsimikas deflected off Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, resulting in an own goal.

Reds manager Arne Slot made nine alterations from the previous victory over Bournemouth, with Italy's Federico Chiesa making his first start since joining from Juventus.

Jota equalized just four minutes later, out-jumping West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to head in Chiesa's volley.

He scored again in the 49th minute, combining with Curtis Jones before firing past Fabianski.

Mohamed Salah, who came on as a substitute, added a goal in the 74th minute, converting easily after Alexis Mac Allister's shot was deflected into his path.

West Ham's situation worsened when Edson Alvarez received a second yellow card in the 76th minute for a foul on Salah.

To further compound Lopetegui's woes, Gakpo struck from 18 yards in the 90th minute and soon after guided a deflected shot past Fabianski.