After a disappointing first half, Arsenal came out strong in the second half with a stellar performance from Gabriel Jesus who scored a hat-trick and secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Jesus, who had been struggling with his form, rose from the ashes to score three crucial goals and display his trademark flair, providing hope for Arsenal fans. Eddie Nketiah's late header gave Palace a chance, but Arsenal's defense held firm to secure the victory.
Arsenal's Dominant Victory over Crystal Palace: Jesus' Brilliance Shines Bright
In a thrilling Carabao Cup clash, Arsenal emerged victorious over Crystal Palace, securing their spot in the semi-finals thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus. Despite a lackluster first half, the Gunners came out firing in the second, with Jesus showcasing his unmatched flair and clinical finishing.
A First-Half of Disappointments
Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes, failing to create any significant chances. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, looked threatening on the break but lacked the final touch. The first half ended goalless, leaving both teams hungry for improvement.
Second-Half Masterclass from Jesus
The second half saw a remarkable transformation from Arsenal. Jesus, who had been enduring a dry spell in front of goal, sparked into life with a vengeance. In the 50th minute, he tucked in a low cross from Bukayo Saka. Just four minutes later, he doubled Arsenal's lead with a superbly taken shot from outside the box.
Jesus completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, expertly controlling a pass from Martin Odegaard before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. The Brazilian's goals were a testament to his undeniable talent and unwavering determination.
Palace's Late Push
Crystal Palace tried to mount a late comeback when Eddie Nketiah headed home a cross from Wilfried Zaha. However, Arsenal's defense stood firm, preventing Palace from scoring an equalizer.
What This Means for Arsenal
Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace is a major boost to their confidence and momentum. Jesus' return to goalscoring form will be a huge relief to manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners will now shift their focus to their Premier League title charge, starting with a crucial match against Newcastle United on the weekend.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. How many goals did Jesus score in the match? Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick, scoring in the 50th, 54th, and 72nd minutes.
2. What was the final score of the match? Arsenal 5-1 Crystal Palace
3. Who provided the assist for Jesus' first goal? Bukayo Saka
4. When did Nketiah score for Crystal Palace? Nketiah scored in the 90th minute.
5. What is Arsenal's next match? Arsenal's next match is against Newcastle United on Saturday, January 3rd, in the Premier League.
In a surprising upset, Crystal Palace secured a 3-0 victory over a much-changed Liverpool team in the Carabao Cup. Senegalese forward Ismaila Sarr scored two goals and Yeremy Pino added a third, while Liverpool's manager Arne Slot faced backlash for his team selection. The loss marks the sixth defeat in seven games for the reigning Premier League champions, raising concerns about their current form and ability to meet the club's "standards".
Manchester City came from behind to beat Swansea City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with late goals from Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki. Swansea had taken an early lead through Goncalo Franco's impressive strike, but Jeremy Doku's deflected effort brought City level before the break. The Premier League powerhouse dominated the rest of the game, with Marmoush and Cherki sealing the win in the final minutes. Despite a strong start, Swansea was unable to hold off City's relentless attack, ending their hopes of an upset.
Despite a promising start and some early chances, Liverpool were unable to find the back of the net and suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. Teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha stood out for the Reds, but ultimately their inability to capitalize on their opportunities led to their downfall. Federico Chiesa had a particularly close chance, but his effort was saved by Palace's goalkeeper.
Pep Guardiola's young Manchester City side secured a 3-1 away win against Swansea City in the EFL Cup, with goals from Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki. The win showcased the depth and potential of the City squad as they dominated the game. Goalkeeper James Trafford, filling in for the first team, had a decent performance with a rating of 6 out of 10.
Chelsea overcame an intense atmosphere and a late comeback attempt from Wolves to secure a 3-2 victory and a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estevao Willian scored in the first half to give Chelsea a comfortable lead, but a strong second-half performance from Wolves, including goals from Tolu Arokodare and David Moller Wolfe, nearly threatened to turn the tie in their favor. However, a goal from Chelsea's Jamie Gittens and a late red card for returning striker Liam Delap secured the win for the Blues.
Liverpool failed to impress in their EFL Cup match against Crystal Palace, suffering a 3-0 loss at Selhurst Park. Despite a slow start, the Eagles took the lead in the 41st minute with a goal from Ismaila Sarr. They doubled this lead just four minutes later with another goal from Sarr. In the 79th minute, Liverpool was reduced to ten men before Yeremy Pino sealed the victory for Palace with a goal in the 88th minute. The disappointing result leaves Liverpool with a lot to reflect on and improve upon for their upcoming matches.
Chelsea faced a thrilling battle against Wolves in the Carabao Cup, ultimately securing a quarter-final spot with a 4-3 win. The away team dominated in the first half, leaving Wolves struggling to keep up. However, a determined Wolves side fought back in the second half, with Tolu Arokodare and David Moller Wolfe scoring to close the gap. Despite a late red card for Chelsea's Liam Delap, they were able to hold on to their lead and secure the win.
Liverpool's woes continue as they suffer their sixth defeat in seven games, this time against Crystal Palace. Despite the pressure mounting, manager Arne Slot remains confident in his job security, stating that it has not changed much after this loss. However, he acknowledges that there are multiple reasons for their downturn in form and refuses to make excuses. Share your thoughts on Liverpool's struggles in the comments.
Liverpool's struggles continue as they suffer their fifth defeat in six games across all competitions. With key players out injured and a new goalkeeper making his debut, the Reds were unable to find their form against a strong Crystal Palace side. This loss adds pressure on coach Arne Slot and raises questions about their chances in the Premier League and Champions League competitions. Liverpool will have to regroup quickly as they play two more games at Anfield next week.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who was signed from Real Sociedad in 2024, has opened up about the difficult start to his career with the Gunners when he suffered a rare shoulder injury during his very first training session. In an interview with La Media Inglesa, the Spanish international talks about how this injury, which he didn't even know was possible on the football pitch, delayed his debut by a month. Despite the setback, Merino has become an important player for both club and country since joining Arsenal.