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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 scheduled their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 success 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 twice 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 out on, 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 finishing past McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later on when he released 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 entered this game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out battling and we were prepared for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.

The game was a tale of teams at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the summit and Southampton-- who sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with just one win.

"We need to safeguard the prize since the club won it last season, so we want to contend in every league and this is among them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who saw the game from the press 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 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning through ball into package and the Brazilian chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored simply 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 his hat-trick eight minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing past Henderson.

"So pleased for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed reporters. "To score the three types of objectives and the lots of actions that he was included in, it's an excellent thing for the group that we can count on a gamer 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 unleashed a rocket from 20 yards out-- his very 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 spot prior to the break for his 2nd objective, 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 terrific to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just an actually good feeling about the group at the moment. We are building 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.
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The last semi-final place is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)
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