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Nunez and 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 victory over Southampton at a wet and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals 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 two times 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 out on, 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 ending up previous McCarthy.
Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later 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 just inside package.
"We came into this game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out battling and we were ready 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 summit 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 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 among them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who watched the video 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 protector Jakub Kiwior to lock onto a long ball and side-foot home.
But Arsenal thoroughly dominated the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a gorgeous through ball into package and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.
'SUCH QUALITY'
Jesus, who had actually scored just 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 when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing previous Henderson.
"So pleased for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without objectives," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 types of goals and the many actions that he was associated with, 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 because 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 spot prior to the break for his second 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 excellent to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle employer Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just an actually excellent sensation about the group at the minute. We are integrating in self-confidence all the time."
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however the game was well out of reach already.
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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