Nunez and 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, details)
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LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
Holders Liverpool booked 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 goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
Gabriel Jesus bagged a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal originated from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored twice 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, 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 past McCarthy.
Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight 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 package.
"We entered this video game understanding the scenarios that Southampton were going through and understood 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 protect 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 enjoy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who enjoyed the video game from the press box while serving a touchline ban.
Palace had Arsenal drawing in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.
But Arsenal completely dominated the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a stunning through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.
'SUCH QUALITY'
Jesus, who had scored simply as soon as 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 8 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 manager Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of goals and the many actions that he was included in, it's a fantastic thing for the team that we can rely 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 unleashed a rocket from 20 yards out-- his first objective since his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching sports betting 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 goal 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 told the BBC. "Just an actually good feeling about the group at the minute. We are integrating in confidence all the time."
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Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video game was well out of reach already.
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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Soccer Liverpool through To League Cup Semis
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