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
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(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
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Holders Liverpool booked 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 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 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 past McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later when he unleashed 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 came into this game understanding the situations 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 video game was a tale of teams at ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the top and Southampton-- who sacked supervisor Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with simply one win.

"We have to defend the prize because the club won it last season, so we wish to complete in every league and this is among them, so we're happy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who saw the video game from the press box while serving a touchline ban.
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Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta pushed aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to lock onto a long ball and side-foot home.
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But Arsenal thoroughly dominated the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a beautiful through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored just as soon as this season before Wednesday, netted his second 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.
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"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 goals and the numerous actions that he was associated with, it's a great thing for the team that we can depend 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 penalty spot right before the break for his second goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.
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"It was great to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a really excellent feeling 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 video game was well out of reach by then.

The last semi-final location is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)