Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2-0 in The Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, sticking a foot and a half in the final.
First-half goals by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon gave Eddie Howe’s team the edge ahead of the return fixture at St. James’ Park in February.
And after the game, Howe was quick to stress that nothing is settled and there is another 90 minutes to be played at SJP.
“It’s quite a win, but it’s not finished. Arsenal are a top team and we’re going to have to play at our maximum level at home to finish the job.” Howe said.
Arsenal was in the ascendancy and had a couple of good opportunities early on with set pieces and free playing. Declan Rice’s crosses were causing problems for the Magpies, while Gabriel Martinelli hit the post at the end of the 29th minute, making for Arsenal’s best opportunity.
But, despite all of their efforts, Newcastle managed to take the lead just before the end of the 38th minute. Martin Dubravka’s goal kick got flicked on by Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy found Isak, and he leveled things with a really good left-footed finish off the crossbar.
The second half saw Newcastle double their lead in the 55th minute. Ismak made a save for David Raya after linking up with Murphy again, with Gordon quickly pouncing on the rebound to bury it.
Arsenal couldn’t break through Newcastle’s well-organized defense as well as the 5-5 formation that Howe substituted for Isak after the midway of the second quarter, and while they could rest, they looked nervy and leggy.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal outshot their xG (expected goal) by 3.12, highlighting their wastefulness and scoring a record for EPL sides for when they failed to score a goal but Newcastle’s defense was resolute and they recorded five clean sheets within those seven games.
“It was a really good game. The game started fairly well for us, we were going to have to try and make the game on them and play as well as we could, we felt that was important, Howe said. “Then we went 2-0, and then we tired a bit. The players have been so giving for me in recent games. And from there it was really the mental strength they needed to protect me, and it was very well done.
“We’re aware of the stakes. The players are putting their bodies on the line, not caring about the danger or the pain.” We had two or three cramp injuries at half-time and had to cope during the game.
“This is an extremely hard ground and we’ve had a poor record here in the past. Today’s result is a bonus that when you consider our away form.”
Newcastle’s win takes their run to seven back-to-back victories in all competitions and, by netting twice at one end and making a splendid blocking effort at the other end, the club is another stride toward its second Carabao Cup final of three seasons.
“We know in the second leg we have our supporters with us which is going to be hugely important but we’re still going to need to do everything right to get through this tie,” said Howe.
The second is on February 5th. St. James’ Park sees NUFC once again this season and they are heading into the final two seasons hoping to keep their spot for another two years like they did two years ago when they were runners up to Manchester United.
