Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1
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Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2

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Tonali ratings two times 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 triumph 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.
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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 eight minutes later on when he released 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 simply inside the box.
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“We came into this game knowing the situations that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out combating and we were prepared for it,” Elliott informed 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 place with just one win.

“We have to defend the prize due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we desire to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final,” said Reds manager Arne Slot, who enjoyed the game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta pushed aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.
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But Arsenal completely dominated the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning through ball into the box and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.
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‘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 finished his hat-trick 8 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 objectives,” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed reporters. “To score the 3 types of goals and the lots of actions that he was included in, it’s an excellent thing for the team 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 goal given 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 area right before the break for his 2nd goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass throughout the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

“It was terrific to see Sandro score the two that he did,” Newcastle employer Eddie Howe told the BBC. “Just a truly excellent feeling about the group at the minute. We are constructing in self-confidence all the time.”
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Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however the game was well out of reach already.
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The last semi-final place is up for grabs on Thursday when host Manchester United.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)