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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
(Updates with quotes, details)
LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
Holders Liverpool scheduled their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 triumph 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 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 actually been goaded by Saints fans earlier 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 previous McCarthy.
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Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later on when he let loose a low, hard 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 video game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were prepared for it," Elliott told 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 with just one win.
"We need to safeguard the trophy due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we want to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who viewed the game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.
Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to lock onto 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 out a gorgeous through ball into the box and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.
'SUCH QUALITY'
Jesus, who had 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 8 minutes later on 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 objectives," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the 3 types of objectives and the lots of actions that he was associated with, it's a terrific 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 leapt high to head home past David Raya.
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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 lawns out-- his very first objective 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 prior to 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.
"It was excellent to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a really good feeling about the group at the minute. We are integrating in confidence all the time."
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the game was well out of reach by then.
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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Soccer Liverpool through To League Cup Semis
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