Newcastle seized control of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal as the in-form Alexander Isak secured a 2-0 win in a thrilling first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal bombarded Newcastle's goal for long periods of the match but missed a series of chances, mainly from set pieces, with only three of their 23 shots on target.
Newcastle, on the other hand, were ruthless, with Isak opening the scoring with his tenth goal in nine games as he defended poor Arsenal with a long ball in the first half.
The Sweden international was also heavily involved in Newcastle's second match, exchanging passes with Jacob Murphy and then firing a diagonal shot towards goal, which David Raya was only able to push into the path of the onrushing Anthony Gordon shortly after the break.
Newcastle had not won against Arsenal since November 2010 and were without key duo Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar due to suspension, but defended tenaciously to maintain their two-goal lead as the hosts continued to struggle in front of goal.
Kai Havertz, selected to start up front ahead of the in-form Gabriel Jesus, missed their best chance, sending a free header wide from close range, but he was not alone in his poor finishing, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post from a long-range shot. one-on-one chances in the first half and the hosts failed to convert on a series of dead-ball chances.
The two-goal defeat leaves Arsenal, already six points behind Liverpool in the Premier League, with a monumental task to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg at St James' Park on Wednesday, February 5. Newcastle, meanwhile, continue to dream After ending their 55-year trophy drought, their winning run was extended to seven games in all competitions.
Tottenham host Liverpool in the first leg of the other semi-final on Wednesday evening, live on Sky Sports at 8 p.m.
Arteta laments waste, but still believes
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports:
“The biggest difference was that I was clinical in the game. In every other aspect we were the better team. They scored two goals and that was a credit to them that they managed to win the game in that way.”
“When we missed the chances and conceded the goal, it was always difficult, but the team responded. We created a lot of situations, but it's true, they defended the penalty area very well.
“We can do better with our decisions. We had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper and in the semi-final you have to be clinical.”
About Alexander Isak's goal, he said: “I saw the goal and it's something they do: they create chaos, and it goes to the wrong player and Isak puts it away.”
On the second leg, he added: “We have to be disappointed because it's another result we wanted, but that's the reality. I have full confidence. I've seen my team play against them – I believe we can do it.”
Redknapp: Why did Odegaard flag Isak?
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp was stunned when Odegaard was tasked with marking Isak for the first goal, saying: “The set-piece coach gets a lot of credit – he's clearly not doing the defensive duties because how can you let Odegaard leave Isak mark?” ?”
“He is the best striker in the country at the moment. You have to appoint someone who says: 'Where is he? Let's mark him.' Odegaard has no interest in marking him.”
“He's on the wrong side of Odegaard. It's just a mismatch. Someone has to take that responsibility.
“I know Newcastle are a big team, they have (Sven) Botman, (Dan) Burn and Joelinton. But Arsenal are a big team. You can't have the best striker in the country with so much space. It doesn't make sense to to do that.” me.”
Analysis: Isak shows that Arsenal are missing the cutting edge
Kai Havertz had four shots without scoring. Gabriel Martinelli had three, as did Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal's finishing problems were in stark contrast to the clinical brilliance of Alexander Isak. Both of his shots led to goals for Newcastle.
The first was hit off the crossbar into the net after Sven Botman had tapped in Martin Dubravka's long free kick, which was helped into the path of Isak by Jacob Murphy. The second forced David Raya to parry the ball to the feet of the grateful Anthony Gordon.
Isak decided this match effectively, as he has so many others this season. The 25-year-old has scored fifteen goals in all competitions. Three quarters of this was received in just one month. His form has been utterly devastating and Arsenal are just his latest victim.
It is not surprising that they are among his suitors. This was the sixth game this season in which they have not scored and there have been seven more games in which they have scored just once. How they could use a finisher like Isak. Newcastle is feeling the benefits.
Howe: A big step forward, but the band is still alive
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told Sky Sports:
“It was a very interesting match. We started in the foreground, we tried to take the game to them and be ourselves, which we thought was very important.
“Then we got tired, the players have given so much in the last few games. Then it was about the mentality to defend and we did that very well.
“We know what's at stake. The players put their bodies on the line and put their fatigue aside. At half-time we had a few injury issues that we tried to manage during the game.
“Alex (Isak) felt a bit stiff in his hamstring, Joe Willock took a nasty hit, Sven (Botman) felt his groin. We cracked a bit in the second half and that's why I made the substitutions to try to stay strong in the game.
“This is a difficult ground and we have suffered here before. Today is another big step forward when you look at the recent run we have had away from home. We are playing with confidence and belief and that helps when you defend in the final moments. The tie is alive and well, it is still very well balanced. We have a tough home game ahead of us.
“We know we will have our supporters with us in the second leg, which will be hugely important, but we will still have to do everything right to get through this tie.”
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