Jesus scores hat-trick to secure Arsenal comeback

Gabriel Jesus scored a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal staged an impressive fightback to book their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

The home side were staring at an underwhelming exit from the competition at half-time after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener for Palace inside just four minutes.

But Jesus, who had scored just once this season heading into yesterday’s fixture, fired a treble in the second period with substitutes Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both central to his haul.

Eddie Nketiah, sold to Palace from Arsenal in the summer, scored with five minutes remaining to provide his new employers with hope, but the Gunners held on to secure their last-four spot.

Mikel Arteta has overseen just one trophy in his five years in charge at Arsenal – a 2020 FA Cup triumph – and the Spaniard said ahead of yesterday’s fixture that winning the Carabao Cup could provide a snowball effect for further glory.