Hits and misses: Gabriel Jesus, Harvey Elliott and Sandro Tonali all impress in Carabao Cup quarter-finals | Football News

Does this mean Arsenal don’t need a new striker?

A timely hat-trick in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Christmas Day is the perfect antidote when your attack is in doubt.

Arsenal’s recent inactivity and their reliance on betting has fueled the annual debate over whether a new striker is needed in January, so how about Gabriel Jesus looking in the groove, at least for one half of the game?

Arsenal and Jesus proved their problem was not ‘striking’ in the second half.Many argued the Gunners needed a striker last January, scoring 91 goals in the Premier League, the most in their history.

What Arsenal have proven to address is their reliance on Bukayo Sakha and Martin Odegaard.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked unlikely to score until the two came on as separate substitutions and provided excellent assists for Jesus within minutes of coming on.

So, whether it’s improving the left-wing position or gaining a better knowledge for Saka and Odegaard; Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling failed to impress but Ethan Nwaneri looked promising. this is where Arsenal’s focus should be if they want to move in January.
Sam Blitz

Palace will take part in the rematch on Saturday

Saturday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m

Start: 17:30

Crystal Palace were ready for the cup, of course, on 54 minutes.By the time Jesus equalized, Oliver Glassner would have been delighted with how aggressively and diligently organized his team were.

That was on display just four minutes after their opener when Jean-Philippe Mateta chewed up and spat out Jakub Kivio as they battled for a 50-50 ball from Dean Henderson before the striker kept his cool in front of goal.

He now has 25 goals in his last 35 starts for club and country. any striker, if Erling Holland is at his best, will cut your hand for such a comeback. Palace couldn’t quite maintain their mettle as Arsenal eventually went their own way. However, back at Selhurst Park on Saturday, facing the same opponents, Live on Sky SportsThis Palace team certainly has the game plan and the aggression to make life difficult for the Gunners again, but this time they need to do it for 90 minutes.
Lewis Jones

Elliott shines in Liverpool’s win

In his first start since May, Harvey Elliott shone in Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Southampton.

The midfielder scored the winner with a clinical low finish in the first half.

Even at 21, Elliott was one of the most experienced players in the youth team and he led by example in midfield.

The Englishman made the most assists in the final third of the game (21), playing man of the match.

“He was great,” he said Sky Sports’ Don Goodman. “Not just the goal, his whole work ethic with and without the ball. Excellent game.”

Elliott is now hoping his performances can earn him a starting spot in the Premier League to become more of a regular under Arne Slott.
Declan Ollie

Defense-first, a sign of things to come for the struggling Saints.

The plan was clear to all from the start as Liverpool came to St Mary’s for the second time in a month. stay compact, with hard banks of five and four, frustrate Liverpool, hit them on the counter when the gaps opened up and hope for the best.

Under Russell Martin, Southampton loved to dominate the ball, but with little success, and having finally been sacked just days before, his interim replacement Simon Rask knew it wouldn’t help, especially against one of the best teams in the world at the moment.

Liverpool attacked and attacked for a good 20 minutes, but when the gaps extended, the fans responded with cheers, followed by brave blocks that kept the final score respectable.

Saints fans have recently seen their side leak goals like nobody’s business, 11 in their last three Premier League games in fact, and to see that defensive fragility disappear, even to a certain extent, was very well received.

Is it a sign of things to come? It’s hard to say until Martin’s permanent replacement is named. If they play the same way in the Premier League, they could have a very early start to their bid for survival.
Dan Long

Awesome Tonali makes it for Tun

If Sandro Tonali is unhappy at Newcastle, he certainly isn’t.

The Italian midfielder looks set to finally live up to expectations and price tag at St James’ Park, with his brilliance proving the difference in the Magpies’ 3-1 win over Brentford.

The first goal was exceptional, one of the cleanest shots that showed the technique at his disposal. His reaction and celebration show the bond he has built with the Toon support, who emphatically supported him during last season’s ban.

The second, the result of a well-crafted routine from the corner, showed his intelligence and spatial awareness. Away from the goals, he and Bruno Guimarães dominated the middle of the park. A special partnership seems to be forming between the two.

If not his best display in a Newcastle shirt, this was certainly his most influential. His quality turned the game in their direction. :
Simeon Gholam

The schedule matches Brentford

“It’s about getting the balance right in a tough week where we want to be at our best in all three games,” was Thomas Frank’s explanation for making so many changes against Chelsea on Sunday.

Brentford are back against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, so the frustration is understandable the team can compete,” he said.

“And by the way, the game is over 90 minutes, not 60.” The problem was that by the time the Brentford manager brought on substitutes Brian Mbemo and Mikel Damsgaard, Tonali had already put Newcastle two goals ahead.

Damsgaard was a real spark in the last half hour of the game, releasing Mbemo to set up Brentford’s consolation goal.

Would it have made a difference if Frank felt he could start the trio, pointing to the example of Ethan Pinnock, who was asked to start again with a hamstring problem? Something had to give to Brentford’s cup hopes were.
Adam Bate