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 scores twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

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LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool scheduled their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 success 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 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, pouncing 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 on when he unleashed a low, difficult 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 video game understanding the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were ready for it," Elliott told 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 supervisor 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 because the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we're delighted that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds manager Arne Slot, who viewed the video game from the press box while serving a touchline ban.

Palace had Arsenal drawing in the 4th 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 second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning 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 2nd in the 73rd minute when Bukayo Saka slipped the ball through for him to hammer home. He completed his hat-trick eight minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing previous Henderson.

"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without objectives," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta informed reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of goals and the numerous actions that he was associated with, it's a fantastic thing for the team that we can depend 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 let loose a rocket from 20 yards out-- his very first goal since his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering rules.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot prior to the break for his second 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 told the BBC. "Just a really excellent feeling about the group at the minute. We are building in confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video 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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