Young Gunners see off Liverpool

Arsenal teenager Fran Merida scored a memorable first goal for the club as Arsene Wenger's young Gunners beat Liverpool 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Empics

Alberto Aquilani makes his debut from the substitutes bench.

• Tuesday's Carling Cup review

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. Liverpool's £20 million summer signing Alberto Aquilani made his long-awaited debut.

Chelsea cruised into the quarter-finals with an easy 4-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at 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% home record under new coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Manchester City's wealth has bought great quality and it was more than enough to outclass Scunthorpe United at Eastlands as the hosts won 5-1.

Stephen Ireland staked his claim for a regular place in Mark Hughes' side with a glittering performance and City's early goal. Scunthorpe hit back with a Jonathan Forte equaliser and never gave up. But once Roque Santa Cruz headed his first goal for City to restore their lead before the break, there was only one winner.

The second period saw Carlos Tevez outstanding. He scored one and tormented Scunthorpe relentlessly. Michael Johnson and Joleon Lescott added further goals, and it could easily have been more.