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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 ratings twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool scheduled their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory 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 second-half hat-trick as Arsenal came 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 actually been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the video 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 finishing previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later on when he let loose a low, tough shot from Cody Gakpo's pass. pulled one back for the home side in the 59th minute with a curling shot from simply inside package.

"We came into this game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were ready for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.

The video game was a tale of groups at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the summit and Southampton-- who sacked supervisor Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with just one win.

"We have to protect the trophy due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we desire to complete in every league and this is among them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who viewed the game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.
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Palace had Arsenal reeling in the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta pushed aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal completely controlled the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a gorgeous through ball into package and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.
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'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored simply once 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 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 goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 types of goals and the lots of actions that he was associated with, it's a fantastic thing for the group that we can depend 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.
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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 goal because his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot right before the break for his 2nd goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was excellent 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.
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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)