Newcastle beat Arsenal in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
Tottenham play Liverpool in other semi-final on Wednesday
Second legs being played on 5 and 6 February
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FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
That's all from us tonight and what an evening it was for Newcastle! They go into the second leg with a 2-0 lead and all eyes on Wembley. Don't count Arsenal out of this one just yet, football is a very strange game!
Join us tomorrow evening at 18:45 GMT for Tottenham v Liverpool.
Goodnight!
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Unfortunately, we've got to wait until 5 February for the second leg. I already can't wait for that St. James' Park atmosphere.
Yes, we know it's a long time but there's plenty of football in between to fill your needs. It'll fly by.
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it was an interesting game, we started on the front foot and we tried to take the game to them.
"It was then about our mentality to defend and we did that really well.
"We know what is at stake and the players put their bodies on the line."
On substitutions: "Alexander [Isak] was feeling a bit stiff in his hamstring. Joe Willock took a knock and Sven Botman was feeling his groin - we were creeping in the second half.
"That's why I made the substitutions to stay strong in the game."
On the performance: "I am pleased because this is a tough ground and we have suffered here previously. We are playing with a real confidence and belief and that helps us defend in those dying moments.
"Alex scored a great goal and Anthony scored an important second for us.
"In evolution you are always changing and trying to get the best out of the group.
"We have more capabilities with the ball, with this current team there is so much more to come and we are missing key players today and there's fatigue.
"We know in the second leg we have our supporters with us, but we still need to do everything right."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
I am looking at Newcastle and they have their mojo back.
They seem to have each others backs as players. There is a lot of togetherness.
Newcastle are definitely back.
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Every one to a man was top-level.
"Coming to the place is so hard and they defend really well. It was always going to be a smash-and-grab kind of game for us, but we executed it perfectly.
"We are a team and that's when we play at our best, when everyone's on the same page.
"We have to be that ruthless with and without the ball - all the top teams do it."
On Alexander Isak: "Very good. He is the best in Europe, probably right now, with the form he's in.
"The best quality he's got is that he's so humble.
"He is not scared to pass the ball. He's very unselfish, and his best ability is his raw ability on the ball."
On possibly winning the cup: "It would mean the world, but we cannot think about that.
"They can easily flip this fixture if we are not at our best levels."
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Newcastle were very good value for that one, but it could've gone differently on another night. Should make for a great second leg. Mikel Arteta has some thinking to do, but kudos to Howe!
Shaun
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Newcastle deserved it.
Newcastle were effective in both boxes and that's exactly what Arsenal weren't.
Things are looking good at Newcastle.
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports: "That was the biggest difference [being clinical] in the game. In every other aspect, we were the better team.
"They scored two goals and credit to them as they managed to win the game like this.
"When we missed the chances and conceded the goal it is always tough, but the team reacted.
"We generated a lot of situations, but it is true, they defended the box very well.
"We can do better with our decisions.
"We had a one-v-one chance with the keeper and in the semi-final you have to be clinical."
On Alexander Isak's goal: "I have seen the goal and it is something they do - they create the chaos, and it gets to the wrong player and Isak puts it away."
On the second leg: "We have to be disappointed as it's another result that we wanted, but that's the reality. I have full belief. I have seen my team playing against them - I believe we can do it."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
You might not think Arsenal can turn it around but Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has "full belief" they can reach the final. Stay tuned for full quotes.
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Can Arsenal turn it around and get to Wembley? Thumbs up for yes, down for no.
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I thought it was a good game. On another day Arsenal could have had a few goals but unfortunately didn't take any of their many chances. If Newcastle come out and play in the second game then there's still a good chance.
Anon
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak speaking to ITV: "It's massive. it's a great result. It's only the first half. If we don't go through then this has no meaning. It's a massive win.
On form: "I don't think it's too much of an individual thing, it's more a team thing. We've been very consistent to create chances.
On push on Odegaard before goal: "It's part of the game, we all play on the edge. It's nothing.
On what's changed: "It's difficult to put a finger on but we've found out way back to our identity and the basics. It starts with how we defend. the defence and the midfield put their body on the line."
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What Arsenal are seriously lacking is a proper number eight to play alongside Rice. Partey simply isn't quick enough, and doesn't give Arsenal that solid midfield look. Kobbie Mainoo is said to be available this month? Surely Arsenal should go and make him theirs?
Joel, Watford fan
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
I've played under Eddie Howe and he is a coach as well as a manager.
That was born from his journey at Bournemouth.
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
It's good management by Eddie Howe and his team. Arsenal had no answers.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to ITV: "Very pleased with the players, it was a tough game for us in many respects. We've had players struggling at half-time. Really pleased with how we played.
On Isak: "First half he was electric, I thought he played really well. He scored but I just thought his general game was in a really good place. He was feeling his hamstring a bit at half-time so we had to manage him in the second half and that was a big blow to our performance.
"I think we rode our luck at times and I think Martin [Dubravka] played really well and made some really good saves. I thought the set plays in the main we got the small details right. Our mentality to defend our goal with the blocked shots, the heroic pieces of defending that we saw in the last 20 to 30 minutes, it's great for us for the future."
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Even if we do buy Alexander Isak, he’s cup-tied for the second leg. Such a poor performance from Arsenal.
Dave, London
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Newcastle defender Dan Burn, speaking to Sky Sports: "Very proud, it was always going to be like that in the second half.
"To a man everyone defended brilliant.
"To get a result here you need to defend set-pieces, but I thought everyone was brilliant.
"We have had a sticky patch, but we have had a few clean sheets in a row.
"Seeing the way we defended in the second half was brilliant.
"It's only a job half done - they have nothing to lose coming to St. James' Park."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
There was lots of captains in black and white shirts taking responsibility.
It was a man's performance tonight - every man stood up and did their job tonight.
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle's Alexander Isak, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it comes down to a team thing.
"We have been solid defensively and then we have the quality up front. Jacob [Murphy] assisted me and I tried to be in the right place to finish the attacks.
"We came here with the intention to bring a good result home and we did.
"We have some time to change things, come back and do the same at St. James' Park."
Alexander Isak has scored 15 goals for Newcastle this season
Alexander Isak's rich goalscoring form continued as Newcastle United took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final with a superb first-leg win against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Newcastle have never won the competition but will make their second final in three seasons if they avoid defeat, or lose by a one-goal margin, in the second leg at St James' Park on 5 February.
Arsenal, second in the Premier League, started the tie as favourites, but have it all to do in the return fixture.
Isak scored his 14th goal in 15 games to set Newcastle on the way to their seventh successive win.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's free-kick was launched forward, Sven Botman headed the ball on and Jacob Murphy played it into Isak's path with the Swede lifting a composed finish past David Raya.
Anthony Gordon doubled the visitors' lead in the 51st minute, converting the rebound after Raya could only parry Isak's shot.
Gabriel Martinelli had hit the post for the Gunners when the game was goalless, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba also failing to score with close-range headers.
Tottenham host Liverpool in the first leg of the second semi-final on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), with the final at Wembley on 16 March.
Newcastle have been English champions four times and won six FA Cups, but have not lifted silverware since the Fairs Cup in 1969.
However, their fans will be dreaming this is the year that long wait for a trophy ends.
Eddie Howe's side, beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final in 2023, know they still have a lot of work to do to get back to Wembley, but the first leg in London could not have gone any better.
Indeed, history is on their side as since 1987-88 all eight away teams to have a two-goal advantage after a semi-final first leg have reached the final.
Isak, a striker long linked with a move to Arsenal, showed the Gunners what they were missing with an excellent performance which got him a goal and an assist as he provided constant problems for Gabriel and Saliba.
Jacob Murphy and Gordon also played their part again in Newcastle's resurgence, but everyone contributed in handing Arsenal their first home loss of the season.
Dubravka made an excellent save to deny Gabriel, with Newcastle's defending typified by last-ditch blocks from Dan Burn and Botman as they battled to deal with Arsenal's constant threat from inswinging corners.
Since a 4-2 loss at Brentford a month ago, the Magpies have beaten Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham and now the Gunners.
That run has lifted Newcastle to fifth in the Premier League, in contention for a return to Champions League football after playing in that tournament last season, though they have no European football this campaign.
They now have an FA Cup tie and four league matches before they must focus on the second leg.
Newcastle fans will already be looking forward to 5 February, which promises to be a raucous evening at St James' Park, with them hoping to finish the job off and return to Wembley.
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Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Eddie Howe
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Eddie Howe
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
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