Arsenal managed to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 in a thrilling EFL Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace the lead in the 4th minute, followed by a stunning second-half hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus (54′, 73′, 81′). Eddie Nketiah equalized for Palace in the 85th minute, but Arsenal held on to reach the semi-finals, demonstrating greater ball possession and attacking potency throughout the match.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle advance in the English League Cup by securing a powerful line-up for the semi-finals
Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool qualified for the English League Cup on Wednesday by securing a heavyweight side for the semi-finals.
Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick – including a crucial second goal from an offside position – as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-2 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Liverpool maintained their title defense with a 2-1 win at Southampton, with Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott scoring in the first half for the Premier League and Champions League leaders.
Newcastle beat Brentford 3–1 thanks largely to two first-half goals from Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali to reach the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons. The Saudi-controlled north-east club, which has not won a major trophy since 1955, lost in the League Cup final to Manchester United in 2023.
United travel to Tottenham on Thursday for their final quarter-final match, ensuring the semi-finals will feature four of the country’s biggest teams.
Jesus does not benefit from any VAR
Jesus had previously scored just one goal in 20 appearances in all competitions this season, and that too in the English League Cup against second-tier Preston in October.
The Brazilian striker’s first hat-trick for Arsenal was therefore a surprise, as was the quality of his finishing.
Jesus also had some luck, as replays showed he was offside when he scored the 2-1 goal in the 73rd minute at the Emirates Stadium. However, there is no video review before the semi-finals of the competition, so the goal was not ruled out.
Jesus, who had equalized in the 54th with a lob perfectly recovered by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, completed his hat-trick in the 81st by passing without scoring and beating Henderson with a low shot.
That gave his team a two-goal lead, but former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah ensured a nervy finish by sending home an 85th-minute cross to make it 3-1. Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace the lead in the fourth minute.
Liverpool’s invincibility
Liverpool are now unbeaten in 20 games in a single season in all competitions for the first time since 1996, according to Premier League statistics provider Opta.
Things could hardly get better for Arne Slot, who fielded a weakened and heavily rotated team – with Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo at the heart of defense – that still had too much for Southampton.
Nunez particularly enjoyed his goal, scored after being jeered by Southampton fans for missing an early chance. After giving Liverpool the lead, he put his finger over his mouth in a ‘shh’ gesture to the home crowd.
Interim manager Simon Rusk took charge of Premier League bottom side Southampton following the sacking of manager Russell Martin on Sunday, hours after their 5-0 defeat at Tottenham.
Slot was sitting in the stands for the match at St. Mary’s Stadium while serving a touchline suspension after being booked for the third time this season last weekend.
