Max Dowman double sends Arsenal past Ipswich in League Cup

Max Dowman scored twice as Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2 in a League Cup tie at Ipswich Town on Tuesday (September 15, 2026), while Liverpool reached the fourth round by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at Anfield the same day.

Dowman, 16, opened the scoring in the seventh minute with effective footwork and added a second shortly after the interval with another silky finish, becoming only the second 16-year-old to score two goals in the same game for a Premier League club. He matched Wayne Rooney’s feat of scoring twice for Everton in a League Cup tie against Wrexham in 2002. Mikel Arteta said: "That is something very natural for him and he can deliver those actions, that is his biggest quality. His application, and ability to sustain the action," Arteta said. "At 16 years old he can create the moments. He is coping better and better and better. We know the talent, we need to look after him. Step by step." Premier League champions Arsenal have now won all six of their games this season in all competitions.

Noni Madueke doubled Arsenal's lead and Mikel Merino made it 4-0 before Ipswich rallied; Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom scored to reduce the deficit and provide a late response, leaving the final score 4-2.

Struggling Tottenham sent out a strong starting lineup at Anfield against a Liverpool side showing 10 changes from the team that drew with Fulham at the weekend. Alexis Mac Allister put Liverpool ahead with a finish into the top corner, and Cody Gakpo made it 2-0 in the 54th minute with a powerful strike after cutting in from the left. Conor Gallagher headed Tottenham's reply — the club's first goal against Premier League opposition this season — and substitute Dominik Szoboszlai wrapped up the victory with a stunning late thunderbolt from outside the penalty area.

"I am pleased with the performance. I think there have been different phases in the game but overall I liked the energy," Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said. The confidence-boosting result Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi had hoped for after a poor start to the season did not materialise.

Elsewhere in the competition, Fulham won a five-goal thriller at second-tier West Ham United with Oscar Bobb's first goal for the club sealing a 3-2 victory at the London Stadium. Top-flight Brentford progressed with a 2-1 win at Reading courtesy of goals by Callum Wilson and Fabio Carvalho. Third-tier Peterborough reached the fourth round after edging a penalty shootout against Barnsley following a 3-3 draw.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Brentford, Fulham and Peterborough advanced to the fourth round of the League Cup.