Crystal Palace 1 – 5 Arsenal – match report

Our final away game of 2024 was a stunning win at Selhurst Park – the sixth time this year we have scored at least five goals away from home.

Gabriel Jesus got us going early and followed up Wednesday night’s hat-trick against the same opponents with two more in the first 20 minutes – either side of Ismaila Sarr’s goal for Crystal Palace.

Kai Havertz then scored from close range as Jesus’ shot bounced over the post. Martinelli made it 4-1 after the break when he parried a low shot from Declan Rice, and Rice himself rounded off the night with a fine finish into the corner from the edge of the box.

The result is that we now have ten games without defeat and start our last game of the year next Friday.

JESUS ​​​​continues where he left off

After his second-half hat-trick against them on Wednesday, Jesus broke through the Palace defense again after just six minutes here.

Bukayo Saka, making his 250th appearance for the Gunners – the third youngest player to reach this milestone for us – swung in a cross from the right that the home defense simply couldn’t handle. Gabriel was in play and the ball fell to his compatriot behind him, who shot past Dean Henderson.

But Palace quickly hit back. After we were almost caught playing from behind – when David Raya’s pass under pressure was intercepted by Will Hughes, who fired a shot just wide – they equalized.

Sarr had space in midfield and brought the ball further forward before scoring deep to the left of Raya.

The game had a frantic feel and it was no surprise when we restored our lead on the very next attack.

Gabriel Martinelli won a corner that the Palace defense again failed to clear. Jesus was in the right place to pounce on the loose ball and confidently hit the target.

It was his fifth goal in 50 minutes of play – all against the same goalkeeper.

SAKA PRESSED

It remained an open game. William Saliba got possession of the ball just outside the penalty area and Raya had to go big to make an excellent stop from Jean-Philippe Mateta’s black range.

It had been an uninterrupted opening, but there was a lull when Saka’s breakthrough performance came to a premature end – he was sent off midway through half-time and replaced by Leandro Trossard.

But the chances kept coming. Jesus was next to the last man and pushed for the goal, but Maxence Lacroix made a great tackle.

Gabriel then hit the crossbar with a header before our third goal came. Martinelli – switched to the right wing – beat Tyrick Mitchell on the outside and sent a cross for Jesus. His header hit the post and Havertz was able to score from a meter away.

Trossard was next to run towards the retreating home defense, he played the ball to Odegaard who in turn found Martinelli in a dangerous position but his low cross was deflected.

RAYA STANDS FIXED

Raya had to be alert in the first minute of the second half, diving to the right to keep out Sarr’s opportunistic header.

He was called into action again to deny Mateta and Sarr twice as Palace started the second period brightly.

However, Mikel Arteta’s men – wearing black armbands in memory of George Eastham, our recently deceased former midfielder – weathered the brief storm.

RICE MAKES ITS EFFECT

Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, both returning from injury, came on as double substitutes and we soon had our fourth place. A wonderful pass over the top from Gabriel freed Trossard. His cross was perfect for Jesus, but he shot straight at Henderson. The ball fell to Rice, he hit Martinelli, who did the rest.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth goal against the Eagles, at least twice as many as against any other opponent.

Rice then moved from provider to goalscorer and scored his first goal at the end of the season. He curled a wonderful shot from the edge of the penalty area deep into the far post.

Scoring five goals in six different away games in the same calendar year had never before been achieved by a first division team. It was a great end to our away program for 2024.

The result keeps us in third place and also ensures we remain unbeaten in all ten London derbies in 2024.

WHAT’S NEXT

We still have one game left in 2024, at home to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Friday December 27th. Then we start 2025 with another London derby, away to Brentford on New Year’s Day.