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Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1
Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2
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Tonali ratings two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1
(Updates with quotes, details)
LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -
Holders Liverpool scheduled 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 objectives 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 earlier in the video game for a wild miss out on, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, 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 eight minutes later when he let loose 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 the box.
"We came into this video game knowing the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out battling and we were ready 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 summit and Southampton-- who sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last place with just one win.
"We have to defend the trophy because 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," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who enjoyed the video game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.
Palace had Arsenal drawing in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to latch onto a long ball and side-foot home.
But Arsenal completely controlled the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent 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 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 pleased for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three types of goals and the lots of actions that he was involved in, it's a terrific thing for the team that we can depend on a gamer with such quality."
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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 let loose a rocket from 20 lawns out-- his very first objective given that his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering guidelines.
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Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge spot just before 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 boss Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just an actually great 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 however the video game was well out of reach by then.
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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