LONDON (Reuters) - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started his season with a hat-trick as Arsenal brushed off Premier League troubles and beat second-tier West Bromwich Albion by six runs to reach the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday. beat on.
Southampton scored the better of two goals, beating fourth-tier Newport County 8–0 at Rodney Parade Ground in the biggest win for a South Coast side in their 136-year history.
Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Burnley failed to provide as much excitement to the 30,000 crowd at St James' Park, the game ending goalless with Burnley's 4–3 penalty win.
New signer Wayne Hennessy saved two penalties before Charlie Taylor emerged the winner.
Aubameyang, returning to the starting line-up after testing positive for COVID-19 before the start of the season, tapped into an empty net in the 17th minute after Bukayo Saka's saved effort.
He made it 2-0 at the stroke of halftime, when Nicolas Pepe's shot rebounded off the post for another tap-in, and then repaid the favor later.
The hat-trick was sealed in the 62nd, with Saka scoring the game's fourth goal in the 50th with a strike from 18 yards.
“It can hopefully give us something to boost our confidence for the next Games. We had to work hard and keep going,” said Gabonese, whose side lost both their opening league matches 2-0.
Manager Mikel Arteta was pleased with the performance and the clean sheet also highlighted the team spirit.
"We are all disappointed that we haven't won any of the two matches in the Premier League, but the attitude of the players and how they are together," said the Spaniard, which made him most happy.
Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench for the start of his season and made it 6–0 four minutes later, with an assist from Pepe, as Arsenal celebrated their first victory of the season against opponents who were effectively a reserve team.
West Brom, ousted from the Premier League last season, made 11 changes from the side that won the championship over the weekend and included five players - including goalkeeper Alex Palmer - who made their debuts.
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was also making his debut after his move from Sheffield United.
ELYOUNOUSSI hat-trick
Lonnie Armando Broja scored in each half on his debut for Southampton and Mohamed Elinoussi took a hat-trick in the second half as Newport marked their first home game of the season after re-laying their pitch.
Nathan Tella (25th), Kyle Walker-Peters (44th) and Nathan Redmond (69th) also scored with the Riot Cents in the second half after going 3-0 at the break.
Holders Manchester City will begin their bid for a fifth consecutive League Cup trophy with a third-round home game against third-leg Wycombe Wanderers after Wednesday's games draw.
Manchester United will host West Ham United, managed by their former boss David Moyes, at Old Trafford while Chelsea will host Aston Villa.
Arsenal were rewarded with a home game against third-tier AFC Wimbledon, while Southampton travel next to Sheffield United.
Norwich City, who beat Bournemouth 6-0 on Tuesday, will host Liverpool - who won 3-0 at Carrow Road in their opening game of the Premier League season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers host Tottenham Hotspur in a match that pits new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo against their old employers.