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

(Updates with quotes, details)
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LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool scheduled 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 goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.

Gabriel Jesus bagged a 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, 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 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 package.

"We entered into this game understanding the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were prepared for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.

The 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 safeguard the trophy since the club won it last season, so we want to compete 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 watched the game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal drawing in 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 controlled the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a gorgeous through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored simply when 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 8 minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before shooting previous Henderson.

"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the 3 types of objectives and the numerous actions that he was associated with, it's a fantastic 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 released a rocket from 20 yards out-- his very first objective given that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering guidelines.
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Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge area simply before the break for his 2nd 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 told the BBC. "Just a truly 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)