Newcastle United took a big step towards the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday night when they beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of the semi-final.
Arsenal failed to capitalize on numerous chances in the first half at the Emirates Stadium but almost took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli, the speedy winger, who sprinted towards goal and smashed his shot against the post.
But Newcastle were the team to strike first and it was the relentless Alexander Isak who scored for the fifth consecutive time in all competitions. After contact from Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy, a free kick finally reached the 25-year-old, which the red-hot sniper converted in style from close range.
Just six minutes after the restart, the Magpies secured an important second place finish when Anthony Gordon reacted quickest to Isak’s rejected shot, sliding into an unguarded net after beating Jurrien Timber on the ball.
Kai Havertz missed Arsenal’s best chance to get on the scoresheet when he deflected a free header from six yards, leaving the Gunners with the unenviable task of overturning a two-goal deficit in the second leg at St James’ Park in early February.
*Reviews provided by FotMob*
player | Evaluation |
|---|---|
GK: David Raya | 6.6/10 |
RB: Jurrien Timber | 6.6/10 |
CB: William Saliba | 6.5/10 |
CB: Gabriel | 6.3/10 |
LB: Myles Lewis Skelly | 6.1/10 |
CM: Martin Odegaard | 6.4/10 |
CM: Thomas Partey | 6.7/10 |
CM: Declan Rice | 7.8/10 |
RW: Leandro Trossard | 7.0/10 |
ST: Kai Havertz | 5.9/10 |
LW: Gabriel Martinelli | 6.5/10 |
SUB: Jorginho (59th for Partey) | 7.0/10 |
SUB: Gabriel Jesus (59′ for Trossard) | 5.8/10 |
SUB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (78th minute for Lewis-Skelly) | 6.8/10 |
Substitutes not used: Jack Porter (TW), Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling.
*Reviews provided by FotMob*
player | Evaluation |
|---|---|
GK: Martin Dubravka | 8.3/10 |
RB: Tino Livramento | 7.5/10 |
CB: Sven Botmann | 7.6/10 |
CB: Dan Burn | 7.2/10 |
LB: Lewis Hall | 7.0/10 |
CM: Joe Willock | 6.4/10 |
CM: Sandro Tonali | 7.7/10 |
CM: Joelinton | 6.6/10 |
RW: Jacob Murphy | 7.4/10 |
ST: Alexander Isaac | 8.1/10 |
LW: Anthony Gordon | 7.7/10 |
SUB: Sean Longstaff (65′ for Willock) | 6.4/10 |
SUB: Harvey Barnes (65′ for Isak) | 6.4/10 |
SUB: Lloyd Kelly (65′ for Murphy) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Miguel Almiron (76′ for Gordon) | 6.1/10 |
Substitutes not used: Odysseas Vlachodimos (TW), Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett, Lewis Miley, William Osula.