IT'S GAME OVER FOR EFL AS THE PREMIER GIANTS FLEX MUSCLES...

THERE were high hopes ahead of the midweek fifth round ties, but it ended in disappointment as EFL participation came to a sudden end.

- John Lyons

Five Championship sides and one from League One were all swept aside as the Premier League heavyweights flexed their muscles. Indeed, it’s the first time since 2005-06 that all eight remaining sides are from the top-flight and only the fifth time it’s happened in the history of the competition.

There was a sign of things to come on Monday night when a young Arsenal side eased to a 2-0 victory at third-tier Portsmouth. Pompey gave a decent account of themselves in the first half, but a fine finish from Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos in injury time gave the Gunners the lead.

And former Leeds loanee Eddie Nketiah gave Mikel Arteta’s men breathing space when he scored from close-range six minutes into the second half.

It was too big a deficit for Portsmouth, who started with their two top scorers Ronan Curtis and John Marquis on the bench. It was a free-hit for the Fratton Park outfit, who are in the thick of the League One promotion race and also through to the final of the Leasing.com Trophy against Salford at Wembley early next month.

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett said: “In terms of winning the game, getting the first goal would have been key and with the pressure we had, we needed one.

“But after their second they dominated and it would have been a goal out of nothing from us. Then realistically we were playing damage limitation. My players didn’t buckle, kept going and that was good.”

The following night, Championship duo Reading and West Brom both bowed out despite valiant efforts.