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

(Updates with quotes, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool booked their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at a wet and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals 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 actually 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 let loose 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 simply inside the box.

"We came into this video game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out battling and we were ready for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.

The video game was a tale of teams 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 place with just one win.

"We have to protect the prize because the club won it last season, so we want to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we're pleased that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who viewed the game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal thoroughly the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning through ball into package and the Brazilian chipped 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 completed 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 an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of goals and the many actions that he was associated with, it's a fantastic thing for the group that we can rely 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 released a rocket from 20 lawns out-- his 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 penalty spot right before the break for his second objective, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass across the objective 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 told the BBC. "Just an actually good sensation 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 but the game was well out of reach by then.
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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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