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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 twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1
(Updates with quotes, information)
LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
Holders Liverpool reserved their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at a wet 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 originated from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored two times to lead Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford.
Nunez, who had been goaded by Saints fans previously in the video game for a wild miss, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, attacking 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 completing past McCarthy.
Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later when he let loose a low, tough 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 package.
"We came into this game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out battling and we were ready for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.
The video game was a tale of groups 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 location with simply one win.
"We have to defend the prize since the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we more than happy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who watched the video game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.
Palace had Arsenal drawing in the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to latch onto a long ball and side-foot home.
But Arsenal completely dominated the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a lovely through ball into the box and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.
'SUCH QUALITY'
Jesus, who had scored just as soon as this season before Wednesday, netted his 2nd in the 73rd minute when Bukayo Saka slipped the ball through for him to hammer home. He completed his hat-trick eight minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing past Henderson.
"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the three types of goals and the lots of actions that he was involved in, it's an excellent thing for the team that we can count on a gamer with such quality."
Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he jumped high to head home past David Raya.
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 first goal since his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering guidelines.
Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty area right before the break for his 2nd goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass across the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.
"It was great to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle employer Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just an actually good feeling about the group at the minute. We are constructing in confidence all the time."
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video game was well out of reach by then.
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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