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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 ratings twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

( with quotes, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool booked 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 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 been goaded by Saints fans previously in the game for a wild miss, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, striking 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 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 just inside package.

"We entered into this game understanding the situations that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out battling and we were ready for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.

The 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 need to safeguard the trophy since the club won it last season, so we desire to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we more than happy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds manager Arne Slot, who enjoyed the game from journalism box while serving a touchline ban.

Palace had Arsenal drawing in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal completely controlled the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning through ball into package and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.
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'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored just once 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 8 minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing previous Henderson.

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed reporters. "To score the three types of objectives and the many actions that he was involved in, it's an excellent thing for the team that we can depend on a player with such quality."

Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he leapt 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 yards out-- his very first objective considering that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot prior to the break for his second goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was great to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just a truly excellent feeling about the group at the minute. We are constructing in self-confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however the video game was well out of reach already.
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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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