Jesus scores twice as Arsenal put five past Palace
Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal put five past Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to move to within three points of the top of the Premier League.
It took the Brazil striker's tally against the Eagles to five in a week, following his Carabao Cup quarter-final hat-trick on Wednesday.
But there was a setback for the Gunners as Bukayo Saka limped off in the first half.
Jesus scored two in the first half before Kai Havertz made it three, with Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice adding further goals after the break.
Arsenal struck first in the sixth minute, Saka's cross was deflected into the path of Jesus and he fired past Dean Henderson at the near post.
The Eagles were level just five minutes later when Ismaila Sarr curled an excellent effort in the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Arsenal then went ahead again just three minutes later. A dangerous corner was not cleared and Thomas Partey teed up Jesus, who curled a shot into the top corner.
Jesus then almost registered his second hat-trick in a week when his header hit the post, but the ball bounced out and Havertz was on hand to tap in from close range for the Arsenal third.
Both sides had chances to score more in the first half, Jean-Philippe Mateta had a close range effort saved by Raya before Gabriel headed a Martin Odegaard corner against the bar.
Palace started the second half brightly but Arsenal kept them out before Martinelli diverted in substitute Rice's shot.
Rice himself then got on the scoresheet as he curled in an excellent strike for the Arsenal fifth.
Arsenal are now three points behind leaders Liverpool, although they have played two games more.
Jesus finds form at right time for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta said that he hoped that Jesus' hat-trick in midweek would give him the 'spark' he needed to find his scoring form in the Premier League.
And Arteta's hopes came true as Jesus looked revitalised - scoring his first Premier League goals in almost 11 months.
The forward has registered seven goals during 2024 - and five of them have come against Crystal Palace this week.
Before those five goals, he had struck five times in his previous 45 matches.
Arsenal have been criticised in recent weeks for their chance creation from open play but in the past two matches, and particularly this game, they have looked back to their best.
The biggest worry for Arteta will be the severity of Saka's injury.
The 23-year-old, who has 52 goals and 44 assists since 2019, is key to this Arsenal side and they will need him if they are going to mount a serious title challenge for the third season in a row.
Before he limped off, he made his 250th appearance for Arsenal, making him the the youngest Englishman to do that for the club.
Palace tire after tough week
Crystal Palace came into this match in relatively good form after a tough start to the season.
They had only lost one of their previous eight Premier League games, but were well beaten here.
It's been a tough week for the Eagles, who used predominantly the same players as featured in Wednesday's EFL Cup defeat, where the Gunners were able to make eight changes.
Palace were without Eberechi Eze, who picked up an injury in that fixture, and did tire in the second period.
The result leaves the Eagles four points clear of the relegation zone before they go to Bournemouth on 26 December.
Source: BBC Sport
