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Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)
Gabriel Jesus scored a terrific hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace to a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals – but replays seemed to show the forward in an offside position for his second goal in the 3-2 win.
Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalised on a poor error from Jakub Kiwior to open the scoring after only four minutes and the visitors held firm to go into the half-time break with a one-goal advantage in north London.
But the Gunners, who made eight changes to the side that drew with Everton, rallied in the second period, with Martin Odegaard coming off the bench to set up Jesus’ dinked 54th-minute equaliser.
Jesus’ only other goal this season, prior to tonight’s clash, came in Arsenal’s victory over Preston in the previous round and the Brazilian clearly has a thing for the competition – he won it three times with Manchester City after all.
Twenty minutes on from his opening strike, the 27-year-old grabbed his second to put Arsenal in front for the first time in the contest, though it appears he may have been in an offside position while latching onto another pinpoint through ball from Odegaard.
However, the Carabao Cup has thus far been played without VAR this season, given not all teams competing in the competition have had access to the technology. There will, though, be a video assistant referee in place for the semi-finals in the new year, as well as the final at Wembley on March 16.
It was confirmed this week that VAR will be used for every FA Cup fifth-round tie, right through to the final of the competition, also held at Wembley, next May.
Jesus appeared to be in an offside position when he collected Odegaard’s pass (Picture: Sky Sports)
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final
The Gunners saw off their London rivals to reach the semi-finals (Picture: Getty)
With nine minutes remaining of normal time, Jesus raced through on goal to complete his first ever Arsenal hat-trick, with Palace’s defence pushing up high in pursuit of an equaliser.
On this occasion, Bukayo Saka provided the assist as the former Manchester City attacker beat Dean Henderson with a confident finish to take the roof off the Emirates.
Palace substitute Eddie Nkeitah came back to haunt Arsenal with a stunning header to reduce the deficit – but the hosts preserved their lead to secure progression into the final four of the competition.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final
Nketiah came off the bench to reduce the deficit with a looping header (Picture: Getty)
On Jesus’ hat-trick heroics, Arsenal head coach Arteta said: ‘He looked really sharp.
‘It is a great thing for him and a great thing for the team.
‘He has a quality, a way of creating and generating situations that is quite unique. Gabi at that level is a big asset for us.’
In tonight’s other quarter-finals, Newcastle saw off Brentford with a 3-1 victory at St James’ Park, while defending champions Liverpool advanced through with a 2-1 defeat of Southampton at St Mary’s.
The Carabao Cup semi-final ties will take place over two legs across the week commencing January 6 and the week commencing February 3 for a spot in the final.
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