bet9ja.com
Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1
bet9ja.com
Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2

*

Tonali ratings two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, details)

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.
bet9ja.com
Nunez, who had actually been goaded by Saints fans previously in the 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 ending up previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later on when he let loose a low, difficult 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.
bit.ly
"We entered this game understanding the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were all set 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 manager 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 because the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we more than happy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who enjoyed the game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal attracting 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 out a lovely through ball into the box and the Brazilian chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had scored just 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 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 pleased for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the three types of goals and the lots of actions that he was associated with, it's an excellent thing for the group that we can depend on a player 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 attempted clearance fell at his feet and he let loose a rocket from 20 yards out-- his very first objective given that his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering rules.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge area right before the break for his second objective, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass across the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.
bet9ja.com
"It was terrific to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just an actually excellent feeling about the group at the moment. We are integrating in confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however the game was well out of reach already.
bet9ja.com
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)
bet9ja.com