Arsenal’s German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz (L) fights for the ball with Newcastle United’s Dutch defender #04 Sven Botman in the course of the English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James’ Park, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England, on February 5, 2025. (Photograph: AFP)
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom (AFP) — Newcastle swept into the League Cup ultimate for the second time in three seasons with a vibrant 2-0 win towards Arsenal within the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
Eddie Howe’s facet took the lead by means of Jacob Murphy’s first half strike at raucous St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon sealed Newcastle’s 4-0 combination victory as Arsenal paid the value for some unusually slack defending.
Newcastle, who’ve overwhelmed Arsenal 3 times this season, will face Liverpool or Tottenham within the ultimate at Wembley on March 16.
Tottenham maintain a 1-0 lead heading into Thursday’s second leg at Anfield.
Having gained the primary leg 2-0 at Arsenal in January, Newcastle held their nerve to complete the job in entrance of their frenzied followers.
The Magpies are one step away from a primary main trophy since profitable the Inter-Cities Gala’s Cup in 1969.
Howe’s staff have been overwhelmed 2-0 by Manchester United within the 2023 League Cup ultimate, whereas Newcastle have additionally misplaced the 1999, 1998 and 1974 FA Cup finals since their final silverware.
It’s 70 years since Newcastle lifted a significant home trophy by profitable the 1955 FA Cup.
Lastly profitable a cup could be an enormous second for Newcastle, who’ve been remodeled from serial underachievers to trophy contenders because of Howe’s astute administration and the monetary backing of their Saudi homeowners.
Sarcastically, Newcastle have been compelled to curtail their preliminary spending spree by revenue and sustainability guidelines, however Howe has saved them upwardly cell.
After the excessive of beating Manchester Metropolis 5-1 within the Premier League on Sunday to maintain their title problem alive, Mikel Arteta’s staff got here again right down to earth with a bump on Tyneside.
Arteta has solely gained the 2020 FA Cup since taking cost at Arsenal in 2019 and this was one other missed alternative to finish that drought.
Knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United, the Gunners are by means of to the Champions League final 16 and sit six factors behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who’ve a sport in hand.
Rubbing salt into Arsenal’s wounds, Newcastle followers sang “Mikel Arteta. It should the ball” in a slicing reference to the Spaniard’s complaints that the completely different ball used within the League Cup had performed a task within the first leg defeat.
– Arsenal in disarray –
Arteta admitted he was “disenchanted” that Arsenal did not signal a striker earlier than the switch window closed on Monday.
The Gunners have misplaced Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka to long-term accidents and their lack of innovative was uncovered within the face of Newcastle’s well-drilled again 5.
Martin Odegaard squandered a golden alternative to place Arsenal forward, blasting wildly towards the submit from close-range.
It was an important miss as Newcastle punished Odegaard’s profligacy within the nineteenth minute.
Alexander Isak began the transfer by profitable a header in entrance of William Saliba earlier than breaking onto Gordon’s cross into the realm.
The Sweden striker slammed a fierce drive towards the submit, with the rebound falling completely for Murphy to information an agile end into the empty web.
Murphy’s fifth aim in all competitions this season sparked bedlam within the stands as Newcastle began to dream of Wembley.
Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka needed to make a very good save to repel Leandro Trossard’s close-range effort moments later.
Isak, a muscular mixture of energy and poise, was tormenting the often rock-solid Arsenal defence.
Unable to deal with Newcastle’s relentless excessive press, Arsenal have been disarray on the again and it was no shock when Gordon delivered the knockout blow within the 52nd minute.
Arsenal keeper David Raya performed a poor cross to Declan Rice on the sting of the realm and Fabian Schar’s crunching sort out despatched the ball in direction of Gordon, who seized the possibility with a scientific end from 12 yards.
Gordon celebrated by holding aloft a black and white scarf thrown onto the pitch as Newcastle’s occasion began in earnest.
