Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1

treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2

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Tonali scores two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
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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 objectives 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 been goaded by Saints fans previously in the video 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 completing previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later when he unleashed 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 video game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were prepared for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.
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The video game was a tale of teams 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 defend the trophy due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we wish to complete in every league and this is among them, so we more than happy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who viewed the game from journalism box while serving a touchline ban.

Palace had Arsenal reeling 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 completely dominated the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a stunning through ball into package and the Brazilian chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.
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'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had scored just once 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 shooting past Henderson.

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without objectives," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of goals and the many actions that he was associated with, it's an excellent 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 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 yards out-- his very first objective 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 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 great to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle employer Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just a really excellent sensation about the group at the moment. 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 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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