Summary

  1. Man Utd's statement on Martinezpublished at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time

    Lisandro Martinez looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United put out the following statement to confirm Lisandro Martinez's injury: "Manchester United can confirm that Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury to his cruciate ligament in Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.

    "Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation.

    "Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."

  2. Martinez suffers ACL injurypublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time
    Breaking

    Manchester United have confirmed that centre-back Lisandro Martinez has suffered an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament to his left knee.

    Martinez was forced off injured during Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

    More to follow.

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Newcastle won't be worried'published at 10:30 Greenwich Mean Time

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    I don't think Newcastle will be worried who they play in the final. If everyone is fit, they've a great chance. Huge credit to Howe and his coaching team. Year 1 Gordon and pre-ban Tonali looked ok at best but he's developed them in to outstanding players. Every player has improved to be fair.

    Robert in Belfast

  4. 'Howe needs the praise'published at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Newcastle win 4-0 on agg)

    Chris Waddle
    Former Newcastle & England winger on the Football Daily podcast

    [Eddie Howe's] game plan worked great. We all looked at it, well I did and thought why are you playing five at the back. It's worked. When a coach gets it right, he needs the praise, he gets the praise and deservedly so. He'll be looking forward to it but he'll enjoy the night, he'll enjoy the occasion, it's been brilliant.

    But, we have got to go to Wembley in a month's time and we've got to win it. It's alright going to a final and it's a great achievement, he'll want to win it. It's going to be a tough game, whoever it is.

  5. Isak 'on another level'published at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Newcastle win 4-0 on agg)

    Matt Upson
    Former England defender on the Football Daily podcast

    I just love watching Isak, I think he's on another level with his movement. He's one of those players, he's so unassuming in the way he plays and the way he carries himself that he almost slinks around the pitch and then all of a sudden, bang, he comes into life.

    The chance where he hits the goal when Murphy scores, he's got no right to spin and get that ball, but as he wins that flick past Saliba, his instinct to spin and get around him, he doesn't know what's going to happen. Gordon fires the ball into him. It's his reaction and anticipation that makes it happen.

    He rattled Arsenal, the two [Arsenal] centre-backs, didn't have a good night. Hats off to Eddie Howe, got the game plan BANG ON, absolutely played out that way with a little help from Arsenal.

  6. get involved

    Get Involved - 'They have lots to learn'published at 10:15 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Another trophy opportunity passes by for Arsenal & Arteta... the key to being a top team is the ability to perform game by game on multiple fronts. They have a lot to learn.

    Paul from Northwich

  7. 'Howe's Newcastle can assume legendary status forever'published at 10:10 Greenwich Mean Time

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Newcastle players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Newcastle United's ecstatic fans streamed down Barrack Road towards the statues of Geordie icons Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer that stand at St James' Park, hoping the last leap to long-overdue glory is finally in sight.

    Many of those making their way towards the tumult of the city were not born when Newcastle last tasted success – and those who were would have had to dredge deep into their memory bank to recall it.

    Newcastle United's last domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 1955, while the club's last major silverware came in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, a competition that then had the guise of the Uefa Cup and is now the Europa League.

    Now, after a comprehensive 4-0 win over two legs against Arsenal that sealed a Carabao Cup final appearance against either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur on 16 March, Eddie Howe and his Newcastle players have the opportunity to end the barren years.

    And what a night it was on Tyneside as Newcastle's supporters started in a state of gut-wrenching tension, but then ended high on emotion and elation after reaching Wembley once more.

    Read more here.

  8. Postpublished at 10:07 Greenwich Mean Time

    Hmm. I can envisage one scenario where Arsenal fans are definitely supporting Newcastle in the final, and another where they probably are just ignoring the match entirely. Correct me if I'm wrong, Arsenal fans?

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Newcastle simply the much better side'published at 10:05 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Newcastle simply the much better side on the night. The game was lost in the first leg though. Arsenal fans will be supporting Newcastle in the final now, regardless of tonight's result!

    James

  10. Man City fans protest against ticket price hikepublished at 10:01 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Seven prominent Manchester City fans groups have jointly sent an open letter to the club complaining about ticket price rises and the prospect of local fans being frozen out.

    The letter was sent to chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the fans' groups have pointed out that with the exception of COVID-19 affected year, City has made a profit 'each season since 2014-15'.

    "The Club are quick to emphasise their connection to Manchester," the letter explains.

    "In our most recent annual report, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to his love for the City of Manchester.

    "We are asking that we do not lose that link. After all, what is this club without Manchester? Even our nickname – the Citizens – is in reference to our Mancunian roots.

    "By making it practically impossible to obtain a standard season ticket, ticketing policy decision makers at Manchester City are severing the generational link between fans and their club."

  11. 'This is going to be a painful one'published at 09:56 Greenwich Mean Time

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Newcastle win 4-0 on agg)

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the defeat to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final is going to be a difficult one to get over.

    But the Spaniard has urged his side to "recharge and go again", with plenty still to play for in the remainder of the campaign.

    They have time to regroup now, with their next fixture not until 15 February.

    Media caption,

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta on tough defeat

  12. Isak's impressive numberspublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time

    Alexander Isak celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak may not have got on the scoresheet yesterday but that's not to say his performance didn't warrant it.

    Dominating Arsenal defensive duo Gabriel and William Saliba from minute one, Isak did find the back of the net with a lethal finish after just four minutes only to be denied following a lengthy VAR check. Just 15 minutes later, though, he rattled the crossbar and the ball ricocheted kindly to the feet of Jacob Murphy to slot home.

    Despite not adding to his 2024-25 stat tally on Wednesday, his numbers still make for seriously impressive reading.

    The 25-year-old has notched 19 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions so far for the Magpies, while also chipping in with five assists.

    He's scored 40.5% of Newcastle's total goals in the Premier League this season and sits third in the race for the golden boot behind only Mohamed Salah (21) and Erling Haaland (19).

  13. get involved

    Get Involved - 'He is precisely where he should be'published at 09:49 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Eddie Howe manages Newcastle United in the Premier League. Suggesting that he is somehow underrated is a bit disrespectful to one of the biggest football clubs in the world. He is clearly not underrated at all. He is precisely where he should be.

    Chris

  14. 'They should be lifting trophies'published at 09:46 Greenwich Mean Time

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Newcastle win 4-0 on agg)

    Chris Waddle
    Former Newcastle & England winger on the Football Daily podcast

    I think neutrals will hope Newcastle lift the trophy because everybody respects Newcastle, the support is massive. They're a team who should be lifting trophies regularly, like Arsenal, like Liverpool do, like Man City do. They should be lifting trophies and they haven't they've been starved of them up here and they're not going to get a better chance. They're full of confidence at the minute, everybody's fit.

    We've seen Newcastle over the last two seasons, on the day, they can beat anybody and they've proved that. Whoever they play, they know they could beat them.

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - Who will join Newcastle in final?published at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Thanks for all your messages so far this morning - please do keep them coming in!

    We'll shortly be turning our attention to tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Tottenham, before a flurry of FA Cup manager news conferences begin.

    So, let us know who you expect Newcastle to be lining up against at Wembley on Sunday, 16 March.

    Liverpool and Spurs fans, do let us know how you're feeling ahead of that one.

    Reach us on #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) - and please make sure you add your names on any texts.

    Lucas Bergvall and Virgil van DijkImage source, Getty Images
  16. Newcastle's fixtures before EFL Cup finalpublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    Another Wembley trip for Newcastle United will be here before they know it.

    The Magpies have just five fixtures between now and then with only four being in the Premier League, however, they couldn't look much tougher for Eddie Howe's side.

    • Birmingham City (a) FA Cup
    • Man City (a)
    • Nottingham Forest (h)
    • Liverpool (a)
    • West Ham (h)
    • EFL Cup final

    Should Liverpool overcome Tottenham Hotspur and progress to the EFL Cup final this evening, Newcastle will travel to Anfield in the Premier League just two games before.

  17. 'Everybody wants to see Newcastle in this final'published at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Newcastle win 4-0 on agg)

    Olivier Bernard
    Former Newcastle United defender on 5 Live Breakfast

    Newcastle has the best supporters, the best crowd. They showed it last night.

    I think everybody wants to see Newcastle in this final at Wembley and everybody wants to see Newcastle winning a trophy. It's been a long wait. I believe that the lads are ready to do well and to win it.

    70% of the players were on the pitch [in their 2023 League Cup final loss to Manchester United], they will remember what happened. They missed [a chance] that day, because I don't think Manchester United were the better side.

    The players can be disappointed with the final but there's another one coming up and I'm sure they will make it right with this one. I'm very confident, this year, it might happen.

  18. Postpublished at 09:30 Greenwich Mean Time

    After a couple of hours or so of polling, 73% of you believe Eddie Howe is underrated as a manager.

    Any underappreciation for the Newcastle boss will surely vanish if he can end the club's long wait for a trophy.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - 'all silverware should be celebrated'published at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Mike Jones: I don't understand the fans that say 'it's only the league Cup!' As a Liverpool fan last year's final against Chelsea is one of my favourite memories as a supporter and silverware should be celebrated no matter what competition.

    Hear, hear, Mike.

  20. Isak dominates Saliba duelpublished at 09:22 Greenwich Mean Time

    Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Newcastle win 4-0 on agg)

    Alexander Isak battles with William SalibaImage source, Getty Images

    Alexander Isak showed Arsenal exactly what they were missing from a true number nine standpoint yesterday evening.

    Goal-threat aside, the tough time he gave defender William Saliba was one of the biggest talking points.

    The France centre-back has rarely had such a difficult night in an Arsenal shirt. Often the dominant one whomever he comes up against, Saliba just couldn't get to grips with Isak at St James' Park.

    Gary Neville said he had "never seen Saliba so ruffled" during his co-commentary on Sky Sports, while social media became a barrage of memes and GIFs surrounding the Frenchman's difficult night.