Newcastle United took a huge step towards the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday evening by beating Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
arsenal He couldn’t carve out many chances in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, but came close to taking the lead through Gabriel Martinelli, the speedy winger sprinting on goal and hitting the post.
But Newcastle were the first team to strike and it was the relentless Alexander Isak who scored for the fifth successive game in all competitions. A free-kick eventually found its way to the 25-year-old after touches from Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy, with the red-hot striker converting in style from distance.
The Magpies grabbed a significant second just six minutes after the restart as Anthony Gordon reacted quicker to Isak’s deflected shot, sliding into an unguarded net after beating Jurrien Timber to the ball.
Kai Havertz missed Arsenal’s best chance to get on the scoresheet when he headed home a free-kick from six yards, leaving the Gunners with the unenviable task of overturning a two-goal deficit in the second leg in early February at St James’ Park.
|
player |
Valuation |
|---|---|
|
GC: David Raya |
6.6/10 |
|
RB: Jurrien Timber |
6.6/10 |
|
CB: Guillem 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: Rice Declan |
7.8/10 |
|
RW: Leandro Trossard |
7.0/10 |
|
ST: Kai Havertz |
5.9/10 |
|
LW: Gabriel Martinelli |
6.5/10 |
|
SUB: Jorginho (59′ for Partey) |
7.0/10 |
|
SUB: Gabriel Jesus (59′ for Trossard) |
5.8/10 |
|
SUB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (78′ for Lewis-Skelly) |
6.8/10 |
Subs not used: Jack Porter (GK), Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling.
|
player |
Valuation |
|---|---|
|
GC: Martin Dubravka |
8.3/10 |
|
RB: Tino Livramento |
7.5/10 |
|
CB: Sven Botman |
7.6/10 |
|
CB: Dan Burns |
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 Isak |
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 |
Subs not used: Odysseas Vlachodimos (GK), Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett, Lewis Miley, William Osula.
