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 two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, details)

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 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 game for a wild miss out on, 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 ending up past 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 just inside .

"We came into this game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were all set 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 top and Southampton-- who sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with just one win.

"We need to protect the prize because the club won it last season, so we want to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we're pleased that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds manager 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 thoroughly controlled the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a gorgeous through ball into the box and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored simply 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 finished his hat-trick eight minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before shooting past Henderson.

"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the 3 types of goals and the many actions that he was associated with, it's a terrific 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.
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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 backyards out-- his first objective given that his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge spot prior to the break for his second objective, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent 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 informed the BBC. "Just an actually 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 game was well out of reach already.
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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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