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

*

Tonali scores twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool reserved their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 triumph 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 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, 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 8 minutes later 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 simply inside the box.

"We entered into this video game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were all set 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 place with simply one win.

"We need to defend the trophy due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we wish to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who saw the video game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal reeling in the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to latch onto a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal thoroughly 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 just once 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 eight minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before shooting previous Henderson.

"So pleased for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three types of goals and the many actions that he was associated with, it's a terrific thing for the team 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 Nathan Collins' attempted clearance fell at his feet and he let loose a rocket from 20 backyards out-- his first goal given that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching sports betting rules.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot prior to the break for his second goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass across the goal for to tap home in the 69th.

"It was excellent to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a really excellent feeling about the group at the minute. We are developing 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 location is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)
bet9ja.com