Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus ended his goal drought with a hat-trick in the club’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, while holders Liverpool defeated Southampton 2-1 to advance to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Arsenal came from behind to beat Palace 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium as Jesus finally found the back of the net on home turf for the first time in 2024.
Jesus’ only previous goal in 20 appearances in all competitions this season had come against second-tier Preston in the Carabao Cup.
The 27-year-old striker’s first goals in nine games were well-timed after Arsenal were booed off following Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Everton in the Premier League.
The Gunners, who last won the Carabao Cup in 1993, are six points behind Liverpool and Mikel Arteta made eight changes as he prioritised Arsenal’s rematch with Palace in the top flight on Saturday.
Arteta’s gamble paid off after an early shock when Jean-Philippe Mateta punished weak defending from Jakub Kiwior to put Palace ahead in the fourth minute.
But Jesus equalised with a composed chipped finish in the 54th minute before lashing Arsenal in front after narrowly beating the offside trap in the 73rd minute.
EPL: Everton hold Arsenal at Emirates as 10-man Liverpool draw Fulham
Jesus sealed his treble with another clinical effort in the 81st minute and former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah’s header four minutes later came too late to save Palace.
Meanwhile, rare goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott at St Mary’s sent Liverpool, the 10-time Carabao Cup winners into the last four for a record 20th time.
Held to a surprise 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, Liverpool got back on track with a 20th win from 24 games in all competitions under Arne Slot, who has lost just once since arriving from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool’s understudies were too strong for Southampton and Nunez ended his poor recent form with a clinical finish after Jan Bednarek made a hash of clearing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass in the 24th minute.
Elliott doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 32nd minute, drilling low past Alex McCarthy from 12 yards for his first goal this season.
Cameron Archer reduced the deficit in the 59th minute with a superb curling strike from just inside the area.
Sandro Tonali also scored twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 at St James’ Park.
The last quarter-final sees Tottenham host Manchester United on Thursday.
- N110bn fraud: Court grants Yahaya Bello N500m bail - December 19, 2024
- Dangote refinery reduces petrol price to N899/litre - December 19, 2024
- Drama as govt officials storm tribunal to recover vehicle conveying lawyers - December 19, 2024
