Nunez and on target as Liverpool win 2-1

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 reserved 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 goals 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 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 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 finishing previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 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 the box.

"We entered into this video game understanding the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew 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 top 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 safeguard the prize since the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is among them, so we're happy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who saw the game from journalism box while serving a touchline ban.

Palace had Arsenal reeling in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to latch onto a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal thoroughly dominated the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a beautiful through ball into the box and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.
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'SUCH QUALITY'
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Jesus, who had 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 finished his hat-trick 8 minutes later on 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 duration for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the three kinds of goals and the many actions that he was included in, it's a great thing for the team that we can count on a player with such quality."
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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 let loose a rocket from 20 yards out-- his first objective considering that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering guidelines.
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Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty area simply before the break for his 2nd goal, 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 fantastic to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just a truly excellent sensation about the group at the minute. We are developing in confidence all the time."
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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)
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