Arsenal, Liverpool & Newcastle move up

AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT | Liverpool has now gone 20 games unbeaten within a single season in all competitions for the first time since 1996

- AP

Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool advanced in the English League Cup on Wednesday to ensure a heavyweight lineup for the semifinals.

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.

Liverpool kept alive its LEAGUE CUP title defense by winning 2-1 at Southampton, with Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott the scorers in the first half for the leaders of the Premier League and Champions League.

Newcastle defeated Brentford 3-1 mainly thanks to two first-half goals by Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali and progressed to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

The Saudi-controlled club from the north east, which hasn't won a major trophy since 1955, lost in the League Cup final to Manchester United in 2023.

United visits Tottenham on Thursday in the remaining quarterfinal match, guaranteeing that the semifinals will feature four of the biggest teams in the country.

Jesus benefits from no VAR Jesus had previously only scored one goal in 20 appearances in all competitions this season - and that was also in the English League Cup at second-tier Preston in October.