In what was a fiery affair from St. James’ Park on Wednesday evening, Newcastle stormed their option to a Wembley return as they claimed one other 2-0 win in opposition to Arsenal.
Springing an actual upset in north London final month as they acquired their semi-final journey underway with a 2-0 victory on the Emirates, Eddie Howe’s males have been sat firmly within the driving seat heading into Wednesday’s showdown.
Whereas placing sensational Alexander Isak may need seen his early strike dominated out by VAR, the Magpies widened their benefit after 19 minutes as Jacob Murphy tapped dwelling.
With Murphy’s opener coming simply second after Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard wasted a golden alternative, the entire momentum felt that it was with Newcastle.
Bagged by an emotional dwelling assist at St. James’ Park, the Magpies put the cherry on high of the cake simply seven minuets after the restart as England worldwide Anthony Gordon accomplished a well-known romp.
Newcastle will now journey to Wembley on March sixteenth once they meet both Tottenham or Liverpool for the possibility to get their arms on a primary piece of silverware in 56 years.
As for Arsenal, regardless of claiming what was an important enhance over the previous few weeks, the Gunners got here crashing again all the way down to earth in some fashion right here and face what may very well be a public backlash.
On an evening when Newcastle took an enormous leap in the direction of ending their 56-year trophy drought, we’ve got taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors from St. James’ Park.
Newcastle declare an empathic enhance
Though Newcastle may need returned to St. James’ Park on Wednesday evening holding a two-goal benefit, it at all times felt that Howe’s aspect would face a stern examination right here.
Struggling a collapse on dwelling soil final weekend as they ultimately fell to a 2-1 loss at dwelling in opposition to Fulham, the Magpies had proven some points over the previous fortnight.
Coming underneath actual scrutiny on January 18th as they fell to an notorious 4-1 drumming in opposition to Bournemouth, all indicators have been pointing in the direction of one other nail-biting affair on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, regardless of struggling consecutive Premier League defeats at St. James’ Park for the primary time since January 2024, Newcastle have been a greater than value winner over each legs and can journey to Wembley with the temper of their camp at an actual excessive.
Amassing a heavyweight scalp right here and sending an announcement to each Tottenham and Liverpool, Newcastle will flip their consideration again to FA Cup duties this weekend once they journey to League One outfit Birmingham.
Main frustration for Arsenal and Arteta
Whereas Arsenal may need travelled to St. James’ Park on Wednesday evening chasing a two-goal deficit, the Gunners definitely felt that they might produce a sensational comeback exterior of north London.
Nonetheless, regardless of storming their option to a well-known 5-1 romp in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final weekend and having fun with a four-match successful run throughout all competitions, Arteta’s aspect got here crashing again all the way down to earth right here.
Watching their FA Cup journey come to an abrupt finish final month as they suffered penalties heartbreak by the hands of historic rivals Manchester United, Arsenal at the moment are going through the prospect of ending the 2024/25 marketing campaign with out a single piece of silverware to point out for his or her troubles.
Nonetheless sat six factors adrift of runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool and with the Reds holding a sport in hand, Wednesday’s visitors might face a possible backlash in north London.
With sections of the travelling assist making their frustrations clear on the full-time whistle, Arsenal might be subsequent seen on February fifteenth once they journey to relegation scrappers Leicester.
Gordon underlines his significance
Whereas the red-hot Isak may need continued to steal loads of the headlines round St. James’ Park this season, Newcastle’s different attacking talisman is having fun with his personal flurry.
Placing pen to paper on a brand new long-term cope with the Magpies again in October, Gordon has solely additional underlined his significance to Howe’s squad.
Bagging Newcastle’s second strike of the evening right here and sending the St. James’ assist into overdrive after coming back from the half-time break, the previous Everton starlet has loved an actual purple patch on both aspect of opening the New 12 months.
Discovering the online in each of Newcastle’s semi-final showdowns over the previous month, Gordon has now registered is objectives in his earlier 10 appearances throughout all competitions.
Forming what has develop into a medical partnership with Isak, the England worldwide will definitely have one other main function to play when Howe’s squad journey to Wembley on March sixteenth.
Match Report
Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Corridor, Murphy, Guimaraes, Tonali, Gordon, Isak
Subs: Willock, Wilson, Miley, Longstaff, Krafth
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz
Subs: Calafiori, Jorginho, Sterling, Merino, Nwaneri
Targets: Murphy (19’), Gordon (52’)
Yellow Playing cards: Newcastle: Schar, Guimaraes – Arsenal: Havertz, Saliba, Sterling
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Simon Hooper
