Israeli striker Stav Nahmani made an instant impact in Scottish football with two goals off the bench as St Mirren beat Arbroath 4-0 in the Viaplay Cup.
Former Motherwell striker Mikael Mandron also headed his first goal for the Buddies as Stephen Robinson’s side took just 10 minutes to get off the mark following their opening loss against Montrose.
New club captain Mark O’Hara doubled the lead just before the break and Nahmani was introduced in the 63rd minute following his arrival on loan from Hapoel Beer Sheva earlier this week. The 21-year-old struck twice in his first 16 minutes of action to round off a convincing victory.
Montrose followed up their opening win with a penalties success against Cowdenbeath following a 1-1 draw at Central Park.
St Johnstone also bounced back from an opening defeat to win 4-0 as they triumphed at Alloa.
Cammy Ballantyne took less than 60 seconds to net his first goal since last year’s group stage following good link-up play between Stevie May and debutant Luke Jephcott.
Ryan McGowan doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a 25-yard drive and May struck in the 63rd minute. Young striker Ben McCrystal came off the bench for his debut and marked it with an 89th-minute goal.
Stirling stay top of Group A after first-half goals from Dale Carrick and Aaron Dunsmore earned a 2-1 win over Stenhousemuir.
Livingston face a battle to qualify after a 1-1 home draw with Hamilton which saw Accies claim the bonus point.
Andrew Winter gave the visitors the lead on the half-hour mark before Bruce Anderson levelled in the final minute. Hamilton won 4-1 on penalties to stay top of Group C ahead of Cove Rangers, who came from behind to win 3-2 at Brechin thanks to Kyle Connell’s double.
Ross County also came from behind in the final 20 minutes to beat Morton 2-1 in Group D.
Former Inverness striker George Oakley headed home in the 37th minute for the visitors but Jay Henderson volleyed his first goal for the Staggies and Simon Murray latched on to Jordan White’s flick-on to hit the winner in the 77th minute.
Stranraer beat Edinburgh City 2-1 in the other game in Group D.
Kilmarnock took control of Group F with a 2-0 win at Dunfermline. Fraser Murray was on target from close range inside four minutes and Kyle Vassell supplied an emphatic finish in the 81st minute.
Lowland League newcomers Albion Rovers gave their travelling fans something to cheer when they beat Annan 2-1 thanks to a late comeback.
Airdrie moved into pole position in Group E courtesy of player-manager Rhys McCabe’s 89th-minute penalty against Dundee, who earlier missed from the spot through Lyall Cameron. That was the only goal in the group with Dumbarton and Bonnyrigg Rose playing out a stalemate.
Falkirk emerged with the bonus point following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Group B leaders Partick Thistle at Firhill.
Ross MacIver gave the Bairns an early lead but the game looked to have turned midway through the second half when Brad Spencer was sent off and Brian Graham added further punishment by converting the resulting free-kick.
Alfredo Agyeman scored a brilliant solo goal three minutes later to put the Bairns back in front before James Lyon levelled in the final moments. Falkirk won 7-6 on penalties.
Louis Moult got his first goal for Dundee United as they ended a seven-game losing streak with a 3-0 win against Peterhead. Kevin Holt netted two second-half penalties for Jim Goodwin’s men.
Queen of the South maintained their hopes in Group G with a 2-0 win at Elgin despite having Kyle McLelland sent off. Kieran McKechnie and Paul McKay were on target for Marvin Bartley’s men.
Motherwell retained top spot in the group with a 1-0 home win over Queen’s Park in the evening kick-off.
Well started slowly but Jon Obika missed a glorious headed chance before netting via the aid of a deflection in the 29th minute.
Callum Slattery and Jack Thomson hit the bar at either end and Queen’s Park had two penalty claims denied as the game remained in the balance.
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
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