Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Result and reaction from Carabao Cup as Isak and Gordon give Magpies advantage
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: Eddie Howe’s men secured a strong lead ahead of the second leg next month
Newcastle United took one step closer to the Wembley with a superb 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Eddie Howe named an attacking line-up for the Magpies and they showed their intent from the start with a high press and a willingness to get men into the final third when in possession. Their early dominance threatened to be a false dawn though as Arsenal swiftly played through them to set Gabriel Martinelli up with a brilliant chance to open the scoring only for the winger to strike the post.
Alexander Isak was more clinical at the other end. He ran onto the end of a Jacob Murphy pass to slot past David Raya and give Newcastle the lead before half-time.
After the restart, Anthony Gordon arrived in the box at the right time as Isak had another shot stopped by Raya only for the goalkeeper to serve up an easy tap-in to Gordon. Howe then made changes and set the team up defensively.
Arsenal threw everything at them but couldn’t cut the deficit and will have a tough task ahead of the return leg at St. James’ Park.
Relive the action from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
71 mins: A storming run from Declan Rice wins another corner for Arsenal. This cross is poor though and Rice hooks the ball straight into the side netting.
There’s a nervous energy around the stadium as Arsenal search for a goal. Newcastle are now set up with five players in defence, four in midfield and Gordon alone in the front line.
They’re holding on to what they’ve got.
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
68 mins: Howe’s changes mean Newcastle will be less adventrous. Anthony Gordon, who is on a yellow card, is now playing down the middle as the main target man.
Martinelli receives the ball for Arsenal and attacks from the left. He squares a pass into the box but Hall boots it clear despite the danger being minimal.
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
66 mins: Eddie Howe reacts to Arteta’s changes with three of his own. Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Alexander Isak are taken off with Harvey Barnes, Sean Longstaff and Lloyd Kelly brought on.
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
64 mins: Joe Willock gets back and turns a pass behind for a corner. Declan Rice delivers the set piece and finds William Saliba at the back post this time.
It’s another opportunity for Arsenal but Saliba nods it it over the top.
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
63 mins: Mikel Arteta has made a couple of changes.
Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey have been hooked off with Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho brought on. Can Arsenal find a way back into this match?
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
58 mins: Chance!
Leandro Trossard comes down the right wing and sends a cross into the box. Lewis Hall half blocks it but the ball loops into the air and drops into the middle of the penalty area.
Somehow, Kai Havertz is wide open but misses out on a header and the ball hits his shoulder and bounces wide of the target.
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
57 mins: Tonali lifts a cross into the Arsenal box and Raya flaps it away. The goalkeeper isn’t in control of the clearance but luckily the ball falls to an Arsenal defender who clears.
There’s an urgency and erratic nature to Arsenal now. They need to pull something out of the hat.
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
54 mins: It could be a long way back from here for Arsenal.
Even though the tie is played over two legs you feel they need a goal here at the very least to be in with a shout of overturning the deficit at St. James’ Park.
The difficulty is overcommiting and conceding another. Three goals would be almost impossible to overturn.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle (Anthony Gordon, 51’)
Massive moment!
Six minutes into to the second half and Newcastle have a second goal. Alexander Isak steps out of the forward position and drops to receive the ball. He turns it to Jacob Murphy who takes the ball up to the edge of the box before slotting a pass back to Isak.
Isak shoots and draws a leaping save out of David Raya who only manages to push the ball into the path of Anthony Gordon for a tap in.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
48 mins: The first half was a blistering affair of end-to-end action. With Newcastle now in front expect that to change with Eddie Howe’s men preferring to stay more defensively secure.
They’ll still want a second goal but will take less risks with their press I expect.
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