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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 two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1
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(Updates with quotes, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool booked their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 success 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, 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 unleashed 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 game understanding the situations that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out combating and we were all set 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 summit and Southampton-- who sacked supervisor Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last place with simply one win.

"We have to safeguard the trophy due to the fact that 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 saw the game from journalism box while serving a touchline ban.

Palace had Arsenal drawing in the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta pushed aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire 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 a through ball into package and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had scored just once this season before Wednesday, netted his second 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 happy for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without objectives," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of goals and the many actions that he was included in, it's a great 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 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 yards out-- his very first objective considering that his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge spot simply before the break for his second objective, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass across the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.
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"It was terrific to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle employer Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a really excellent sensation about the group at the moment. We are integrating in self-confidence all the time."
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Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video game was well out of reach by then.
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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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