Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1
Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2
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Tonali scores two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1
(Updates with quotes, information)
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LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
Holders Liverpool reserved their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 triumph over Southampton at a damp and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to objectives from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
Gabriel Jesus bagged a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored twice to lead Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford.
Nunez, who had actually been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the game for a wild miss out on, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, pouncing after a mis-kick by centre back Jan Bednarek and a slip by keeper Alex McCarthy. Nunez put his finger to his lips in a gesture to the crowd after finishing previous McCarthy.
Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later on when he released a low, difficult shot from Cody Gakpo's pass. Cameron Archer pulled one back for the home side in the 59th minute with a curling shot from simply inside the box.
"We entered into this video game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out fighting and we were all set for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.
The video game was a tale of teams at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the top and Southampton-- who sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last place with just one win.
"We have to protect the trophy since the club won it last season, so we want to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who enjoyed the from journalism box while serving a touchline ban.
Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to latch onto a long ball and side-foot home.
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But Arsenal completely controlled the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a stunning through ball into the box and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.
'SUCH QUALITY'
Jesus, who had actually scored simply when this season before Wednesday, netted his second in the 73rd minute when Bukayo Saka slipped the ball through for him to hammer home. He finished his hat-trick eight minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing previous Henderson.
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"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three kinds of goals and the lots of actions that he was included in, it's a fantastic thing for the group that we can count on a player with such quality."
Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he jumped high to head home past David Raya.
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At St James' Park, Tonali scored in the ninth minute when Nathan Collins' attempted clearance fell at his feet and he released a rocket from 20 backyards out-- his very first goal since his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering guidelines.
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Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge area simply before the break for his 2nd goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.
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"It was terrific to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just an actually excellent feeling about the group at the minute. We are integrating in self-confidence all the time."
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video game was well out of reach already.
The last semi-final location is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)
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Soccer Liverpool through To League Cup Semis
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