Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1
Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2
bet9ja.com
*
Tonali 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 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 originated from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored two times 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, attacking 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 released 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 package.
"We came into this video game understanding the situations 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 game was a tale of groups 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 place with just one win.
bet9ja.com
"We need to defend the trophy since the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is one of them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who viewed the game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.
Palace had Arsenal drawing in the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire 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 gorgeous through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.
bet9ja.com
'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 completed his hat-trick eight minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before shooting previous Henderson.
"So happy for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the 3 types of objectives and the many actions that he was involved in, it's a fantastic thing for the team that we can rely 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 unleashed a rocket from 20 backyards out-- his first goal given that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering rules.
bit.ly
Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge area right before the break for his 2nd 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.
bit.ly
"It was terrific to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a truly good feeling about the group at the minute. We are constructing in confidence all the time."
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video game was well out of reach by then.
bet9ja.com
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
1
Soccer Liverpool through To League Cup Semis
Adriene MacBain edited this page 2 months ago