Newcastle in pole position to reach Carabao Cup final after win at Arsenal
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Newcastle took a major step to sealing their place in the final of the Carabao Cup with a brilliant 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Alexander Isak sent the visitors on their way after 37 minutes with his 10th strike from nine appearances before Anthony Gordon doubled Newcastle’s advantage half-a-dozen minutes after the interval.
The Gunners registered 23 shots on Newcastle’s goal in all, but they were unable to find a breakthrough which left their resilient opponents in the driving seat ahead of the semi-final return leg at St James’ Park on February 5. It marked a seventh win in succession for Eddie Howe’s side as they chase their first trophy in 55 years.
A bitterly disappointed Arsenal will now have to brush themselves down for their third-round FA Cup tie against Manchester United, back here at the Emirates on Sunday. There had been a sense prior to the last-four clash that the game might be a cagey one with the return fixture a month away.
It proved to be anything but, as both teams chased the first blow in a pulsating end-to-end opening period which set the tone for the match. Joelinton blazed over David Raya’s bar with just three minutes on the clock before Gordon’s looping header was gobbled up by the Arsenal keeper.
Down the other end, William Saliba’s shot was blocked by Dan Burn, with Newcastle stopper Martin Dubravka then on hand to smother Kai Havertz’s follow-up. Jurrien Timber headed over the bar from a corner before he was required in defence to clear Lewis Hall’s strike after Isak had run Saliba ragged.
