Daijiworld Media Network - Manchester

Manchester, Jan 12: Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup after suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Gabriel Martinelli struck a hat-trick as Arsenal stormed into the fourth round with a 4-1 win over Portsmouth.

United’s exit marked the club’s second domestic cup elimination of the season, leaving them with just 40 matches in all competitions — their lowest tally since 1915. Interim boss Darren Fletcher endured a torrid afternoon as United’s final hope of silverware slipped away.

Brighton took the lead in the 12th minute when Brajan Gruda finished from Danny Welbeck’s cross. United failed to capitalise on a promising start and were punished again midway through the second half when Welbeck curled a stunning effort into the top corner against his former club.

Benjamin Sesko’s late header gave United brief hope, but teenager Shea Lacey was sent off in stoppage time for dissent, compounding a miserable afternoon. Chants against the Glazer family and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe echoed around Old Trafford as fan frustration intensified.

“I think you could see the players are fragile, but they have to respond,” Fletcher said after the match.

At Fratton Park, Arsenal overcame an early scare to defeat Championship side Portsmouth. The hosts stunned the Premier League leaders by scoring inside three minutes through Colby Bishop, but their lead lasted only five minutes as Andre Dozzell turned the ball into his own net under pressure.

Martinelli then took centre stage, flicking in his first goal before completing a superb hat-trick, with Gabriel Jesus providing an assist. Noni Madueke missed a penalty for Arsenal, but the visitors dominated thereafter to seal a comfortable victory.

The Brazilian shrugged off criticism following a recent on-field controversy involving injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Martinelli’s mentality, saying big players needed strong personalities to cope with pressure.

Elsewhere, West Ham relieved pressure on manager Nuno Espirito Santo as new signing Taty Castellanos scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 extra-time win over QPR. Leeds United came from behind to beat Derby County 3-1, while League One side Mansfield produced a shock by defeating Sheffield United 4-3 at Bramall Lane.

Norwich City, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion also advanced to the fourth round.