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Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1

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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(Updates with quotes, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool reserved their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 success over Southampton at a wet and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to objectives 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 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, 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 previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later on when he released 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 the box.

"We came into this video game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and understood 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 manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with simply one win.

"We need to protect the trophy since the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we're happy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who enjoyed the game from journalism box while serving a touchline ban.

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

But Arsenal completely controlled the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a lovely through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored just when 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 eight minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing past Henderson.

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without objectives," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 types of goals and the many actions that he was associated with, it's a great thing for the team 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 let loose a rocket from 20 yards out-- his very first goal considering that 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 across the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was great to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe the BBC. "Just an actually good feeling about the group at the moment. We are building in self-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 location is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)