Newcastle United took a major stride towards ending their 70-year trophy drought with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Magpies, whose last major piece of silverware was the 1955 FA Cup, produced a clinical display to build a two-goal advantage at the halfway stage of the tie, with the second leg to take place at St James' Park next month.
Alexander Isak, a player who has been heavily linked with the Gunners, shone brightest for the visitors as he opened the scoring with his 50th Newcastle goal before playing a big role in the second as his shot was parried into the path of Anthony Gordon to tap home.
In contrast, Arsenal were let down by their lack of a cutting edge for much of the contest as they appeared to give up their best chance of a much-needed trophy under Mikel Arteta.
There is still hope for the North London outfit, who have not won the League Cup since 1992-93, but they now require an almost-unprecedented turnaround against an in-form Newcastle side when the two teams reconvene in early February.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
There has been plenty of talk surrounding Arsenal's need for a more regular goalscorer this season, and this match highlighted the issue in the most glaring manner.
Arteta's side accumulated an xG of more than three goals in this game, had more than two-thirds of possession and had more than three times as many shots as Newcastle but, in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka, they could not turn that anything to take back to St James' Park.
Meanwhile, at the other end they watched helplessly as the goalscorer with whom they have been most heavily linked enjoyed exactly the type of clinical performance they have been crying out for, no doubt adding a few extra pounds to his asking price in the process.
Newcastle fans who have been waiting 70 years to see their club win a trophy may scoff at this suggestion, but Arteta and Arsenal need to win a major piece of silverware this season, and this was their best chance to do it, so this is a bitterly disappointing result for the home side.
There is still hope in the form of the second leg, but the Magpies are very much in the driving seat of the tie and are almost within touching distance of Wembley, and the prospect of ending that staggeringly long drought.
ARSENAL VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) hits the post (29th min, Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle)
Arsenal cut Newcastle open and Gabriel Martinelli thunders against the woodwork! 🤏 pic.twitter.com/pVm3LbZeCM
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 7, 2025
Almost an opener for Arsenal as Gabriel Martinelli races through on goal but can only find the woodwork!
Alexander Isak goal vs. Arsenal (37th min, Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle)
"The set-piece coach gets a lot of credit - he obviously doesn't do the defensive ones!" 😬
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 7, 2025
Jamie Redknapp was not happy seeing Martin Odegaard up against Alexander Isak for Newcastle's opener 👀 pic.twitter.com/eHxdLsnmih
Of course it is Isak who breaks the deadlock!
The Arsenal-linked Newcastle man shows his clinical touch yet again as Jacob Murphy bundles the ball into his path, and the Swede rifles home off the underside of the crossbar!
Anthony Gordon goal vs. Arsenal (51st min, Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle)
Anthony Gordon converts into an empty net to put the Magpies 2-0 up! 😳
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 7, 2025
Arsenal have a mountain to climb to get back into the leg... pic.twitter.com/mfhs8GMiZQ
Newcastle double their lead!
Isak is involved again as he digs out a shot despite having three Arsenal defenders around him, and the keeper can only parry it into the path of Gordon, who is left with a simple finish!
MAN OF THE MATCH - ALEXANDER ISAK
© Imago
Isak has been in incredible form for Newcastle lately, and this was another hugely impressive performance in a huge game for the club, away to one of the best teams in the country.
The striker took his first goal well as the ball fell to his feet inside the penalty area, and had a big role to play in the second too.
Isak now has 50 goals in the black and white of Newcastle, and he has reached that tally even faster than the club's greatest goalscorer ever, Alan Shearer.
ARSENAL VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 69%-31% Newcastle
Shots: Arsenal 23-7 Newcastle
Shots on target: Arsenal 3-4 Newcastle
Corners: Arsenal 11-1 Newcastle
Fouls: Arsenal 6-12 Newcastle
BEST STATS
1 - Prior to this season, only once has a side in the semi-finals of the League Cup progressed to the final having lost the first leg by 2+ goals, with Aston Villa doing so against Tranmere Rovers in 1993-94. Dusted. pic.twitter.com/ZeVxUEjzmC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 7, 2025
50 - Alexander Isak has scored 50 goals for Newcastle United in all competitions, while since his debut in August 2022, only Erling Haaland (105) and Mohamed Salah (73) have scored more goals in all competitions among Premier League players. Great. pic.twitter.com/9HYRmCYFoF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 7, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Having seen one prospect of silverware potentially slip away, Arsenal turn their attentions to another on Sunday when they welcome Manchester United to the Emirates in the FA Cup third round.
Newcastle are also in FA Cup action on Sunday, although they face what should be a more straightforward test at home to League Two side Bromley.
Barney Corkhill
