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 last four for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott scored first-half goals for the Premier League and Champions League leaders as Liverpool kept their title defense alive with a 2-1 win at Southampton.
Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali scored two first-half goals as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 to reach the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons. The Saudi-controlled club from the North East, who have not won a major trophy since 1955, lost to Manchester United in the League Cup final in 2023.
United visit Tottenham in the remaining quarter-final match on Thursday, guaranteeing the country’s top four sides in the semi-finals.
Jesus benefits from no VAR Jesus has scored just one goal in 20 games in all competitions this season – and that was in the English League Cup at second-tier Preston in October.
So the Brazilian striker’s first hat-trick for Arsenal was a surprise, as was his level of finishing.
There was also luck for Jesus in the 2-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium in the 73rd minute, with replays showing he was offside. However, there is no video review until the semi-finals of the competition so the goal was not disallowed.
Jesus equalized with a superb chip past goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the 54th minute to complete his hat-trick with an unmarked and low strike past Henderson in the 81st minute.
It gave his side a two-goal cushion but former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah headed home a cross in the 85th to ensure a nervy 3-1 finish. Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace the lead in the fourth minute.
Liverpool’s unbeaten run Liverpool have gone 20 games unbeaten in a season in all competitions for the first time since 1996, according to Premier League statistics supplier Opta.
Things could hardly have been better for Arne Slott, who fielded a weak, heavily rotated team – featuring Japan midfielder Wataru Ando at center back – that was still too much for Southampton.
Nunez particularly enjoyed his goal, which came after being booed by Southampton fans for missing an early chance. After putting Liverpool in front, he put his finger to his mouth in a “shush” gesture to the home crowd.
Interim boss Simon Rusk has taken charge of Southampton’s bottom-placed side after Russell Martin was sacked on Sunday – just hours after a 5-0 defeat by Tottenham.
Slott sat in the stands for the game at St Mary’s Stadium as he was serving a touchline suspension after being booked for the third time this season last weekend.