Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace - PLAYER RATINGS: Which starter blew his big chance? Which star immediately made an impact after coming on? And who scored just FIVE out of 10?
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Gabriel Jesus ended a 10-month goal drought with a spectacular hat-trick as Arsenal overcame a late Crystal Palace scare to soar into the EFL Cup semi-finals. The visitors had shocked Mikel Arteta's men early in the encounter, who were heavily changed from their Premier League stalemate against Everton, scoring within three minutes through Jean-Philippe Mateta who slotted home a ball over the top.
![[Jean-Philippe Mateta stunned Arsenal witihin three minutes after latching onto a long ball]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/21/93292549-14207133-image-m-37_1734557256355.jpg)
After a drab opening period, the Spaniard then brought on the big guns. Captain Martin Odegaard and centre back William Saliba entered the fray to try to turn things around. The changes worked. Dean Henderson was forced into an outstanding save from a close-range Sterling effort before the Englishman fired onto the crossbar. But minutes later their frustrations were ended when Odegaard slipped Jesus through and the Brazilian chipped the ball over the keeper.
![[Eddie Nketiah provided a late scare against his old side scoring a fine header at the Emirates]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/21/93292555-14207133-image-a-38_1734557286817.jpg)
He was similarly clinical as he gave Arsenal the lead having been found by the subbed-on Bukayo Saka, before completing his hat-trick after a pinpoint Odegaard pass. Former Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah grabbed a consolation with a header. Mail Sport's Isaan Khan was on hand to make sense of this topsy-turvy encounter and reveal who stood out for each side.
![[David Raya arguably could have had better positioning in the lead up to Jean-Phillipe Mateta's goal]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/22/93292615-14207133-image-a-48_1734559851664.jpg)
Gabriel Jesus bagged a hat-trick in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup. Jean-Philippe Mateta stunned Arsenal witihin three minutes after latching onto a long ball. Eddie Nketiah provided a late scare against his old side scoring a fine header at the Emirates.
![[Jorginho benefitted from the impetus of substitute Martin Odegaard in the second half]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/22/93292657-14207133-image-a-46_1734559794343.jpg)
