LONDON, Sept 26: Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick to inspire Liverpool to a 4-2 victory at Reading in the League Cup third round on Tuesday.

The Spain striker was on target three times in the second half after Israeli Yossi Benayoun had put Liverpool in front before the break with his first goal for the club.

Arsenal, last season’s runners-up, rested virtually their entire first team against Newcastle United but still ran out 2-0 winners with late goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Brazilian Denilson.

Two other Premier League sides got through. Manchester City beat Norwich City 1-0 while Portsmouth also triumphed 1-0 at Burnley.

Results:

Third round:

Arsenal 2 Newcastle United 0

Blackpool 2 Southend United 1

Burnley 0 Portsmouth 1

Luton Town 3 Charlton Athletic 1

Manchester City 1 Norwich City 0

Reading 2 Liverpool 4

Sheffield United 5 Morecambe 0

West Bromwich Albion 2 Cardiff City 4

—Reuters