Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. James' Park

What a start with plenty of action at both ends in this incredible atmosphere.

Arsenal have had their chances. They will regret that big miss by Martin Odegaard second's before Jacob Murphy's opener.

Newcastle's fans can scent Wembley already - and what an advantage they have.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. James' Park

Huge flag was unfurled on The Gallowgate End just before kick-off at St. James' Park emblazoned with the words: "Get Into Them".

Fair to say Newcastle have followed those orders - but will they blow themselves out?

Hartlepool Council says permission for The Intro to open was refused over "fear of crime" worries.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. James' Park

Nice bit of interaction between Jacob Murphy and a young Newcastle United fan as the warm-up goes on. Bit of passing involving the delighted youngster and the forward ends with Murphy giving him a beaming smile and a big round of applause.

Newcastle and Arsenal meet at St James' Park in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday with the Gunners needing to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at At. James' Park

Newcastle United's worst fears have been confirmed as Joelinton is ruled out with the knee injury that troubled him during the defeat against Fulham here on Saturday.

The Brazilian's power and threat would have been a significant threat this evening. Sven Botman comes in, suggesting manager Eddie Howe may use a three-man central defence.

Interesting change as right-back, where 34-year-old former England defender Kieran Trippier - who has been linked with a move to Galatasary - comes in to replace Tino Livramento.

Cool heads will be needed in this hothouse atmosphere on Tyneside and Howe will look to Trippier to provide that quality.

Arsenal? Simple.

Same team that beat Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday, preaumably with the message to go out and do it all over again.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. James' Park

Newcastle United fans were in confident mood after that superb 2-0 win at Arsenal in the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final - but the mood has shifted somewhat in the intervening month.

You can sense the nervousness talking to Newcastle fans around St. James' Park, not helped by recent home defeats against Bournemouth and Fulham.

The Gunners will be in buoyant mood after thrashing Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.

If Arsenal strike early, those nerves will be jangling even more, but Newcastle have the precious advantage and the other message from those fans chimes exactly with what manager Eddie Howe said before the game.

No just sitting on that 2-0 lead.

NIFCA is concerned the move will end years of fishing heritage and tradition in Cullercoats.

The owner of the letter believes Lord Collingwood "doesn't get enough recognition".

The plans involve extracting lithium from geothermal groundwaters at Eastgate's former cement works.

Several units remain empty after the redeveloped facility in Sunderland opened in December 2023.

It is hoped the measure will enable Metro services to continue and could also see a bus lane reopen.

Kanga Jacinto Rodrigues also attacked his girlfriend and violently robbed a student, a court hears.

Tommy Smith announces his retirement from football at the age of 32 after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.

Fans' views on how Middlesbrough fared in the January transfer window.

Fans' views on how Sunderland fared in the January transfer window.

A bus and a car crash in Stockton at the junction of Church Road and The Square.