Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1

Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2
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twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1
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(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool booked their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at a damp and windy St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to objectives from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
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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 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 ending up past McCarthy.
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Elliott doubled the Reds’ lead 8 minutes later on when he let loose 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 the box.

“We came into this game knowing the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew 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 summit and Southampton-- who sacked supervisor Russell Martin following Sunday’s 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with just one win.

“We have to protect the trophy since the club won it last season, so we wish to compete in every league and this is one of them, so we’re happy that we reached the semi-final,” stated 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 controlled the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning through ball into the box and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

‘SUCH QUALITY’
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Jesus, who had actually scored simply when 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 shooting past Henderson.

“So pleased for (Jesus). It’s been a long period for him without objectives,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told press reporters. “To score the 3 kinds of goals and the many actions that he was included in, it’s a fantastic thing for the group that we can rely 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 unleashed a rocket from 20 lawns out-- his very first objective since his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering rules.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon’s cross from near the charge area just before the break for his 2nd goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

“It was terrific 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 building in self-confidence all the time.”

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however the 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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