Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace: Gabriel Jesus breaks year-long goal drought at Emirates by netting a remarkable 27 minute hat-trick - as Gunners progress to semi-finals of Carabao Cup
Share:
Just seven days before Christmas, Arsenal were saved by Jesus. Gabriel Jesus, of course; the Gunners striker plundered a second half hat-trick to book his side a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after falling behind to gutsy Crystal Palace. By the end, Mikel Arteta sent for the cavalry to ensure his team got over the line and like every good nativity, his wise men delivered to ensure Arsenal put themselves within touching distance of Wembley on a heart-stopping night.
![[Jesus hadn't scored at the Emirates in 2024 until his remarkable burst of goals in 27 minutes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/21/93292065-14207437-image-a-7_1734556150497.jpg)
And Jesus, as he should be at this time of year, was the centre of attention on an evening of twists and turns as the striker put a miserable season behind him to emerge as Arsenal’s hero. But this was far from vintage Arsenal. But they got the job done - in cup competitions that is all that really matters.
![[Jean Philippe-Mateta put Palace ahead after just four minutes as he seized on a defensive error]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/93291197-14207437-image-a-1_1734554895464.jpg)
For the hosts, the first half was one to forget - particularly for defender Jakub Kiwior. . Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday night. Jesus hadn't scored at the Emirates in 2024 until his remarkable burst of goals in 27 minutes.
![[Jakub Kiwior failed to deal with a long ball, before he was outmuscled by the French forward]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/93291193-14207437-image-a-2_1734554999306.jpg)
Jean Philippe-Mateta put Palace ahead after just four minutes as he seized on a defensive error. The mistake, when it arrived in the third minute, was inexplicable - the Gunners defender making an embarrassing mockery of his effort to head clear Dean Henderson's long punt up field to allow Jean-Philippe Mateta to hone in on David Raya before slotting beyond the Spaniard.
![[It was Mateta's seventh goal of the season and left the home fans at the Emirates shocked]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/93291191-14207437-image-a-3_1734555013777.jpg)
