Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1

Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2
bet9ja.com
*

Tonali ratings two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool 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 objectives 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 previously in the video game for a wild miss, 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 ending up past 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 simply inside package.

"We entered into this game understanding the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were all set for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.

The video 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 simply one win.

"We have to safeguard the prize because 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," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who saw the video game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.
bit.ly
Palace had Arsenal attracting 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 dominated the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a lovely through ball into package and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually 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 when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing previous Henderson.

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without objectives," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the 3 types of goals and the numerous actions that he was associated with, it's an excellent thing for the group that we can count on a player with such quality."

Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he jumped 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 released a rocket from 20 lawns out-- his very first objective since his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching sports betting guidelines.

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 across the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was fantastic to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle employer Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just an actually excellent feeling 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 already.

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