Newcastle United have moved closer to ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy after they recorded a 2-0 home victory in their EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal, sealing their place at Wembley with a dominant 4-0 aggregate scoreline.
The Magpies entered the contest with a two-goal advantage after experiencing a successful trip to the Emirates Stadium last month.
After scoring a first-half goal in that 2-0 win, Alexander Isak looked determined to repeat the feat in the return leg, seeing an early effort chalked off for a tight offside.
The Newcastle striker would have been ruing his luck when he rattled the woodwork, but fortunately for the Magpies, the rebound dropped kindly for Jacob Murphy to tap home his fifth goal of the season.
Arsenal created and spurned opportunities to grab a foothold in the tie, but in truth, they looked a fair distance from the side that cruised to a 5-1 victory over Manchester City at the weekend.
Their underwhelming display was summed up in the opening stages of the second period when William Saliba nearly gifted Newcastle a goal just minutes before Anthony Gordon punished David Raya for a costly mistake, guiding the ball home to effectively put the tie to bed with over 35 minutes left to play.
As a result of that victory, Newcastle will compete in the EFL Cup final for the second time in three seasons, while Arsenal experienced more cup disappointment after crashing out of the FA Cup last month, leaving them with the Premier League and Champions League to play for.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Arsenal will be disappointed to miss out on a final appearance despite being up against it following a disappointing home leg.
The Gunners had their chances in the first period at St James' Park, but they were unable to capitalise on those promising moments, perhaps highlighting the cost of failing to sign a striker in the recent transfer window.
However, Arsenal ultimately will have few complaints about the winner of the tie, with Newcastle proving to be the stronger and hungrier team over the two legs, demonstrated by the size of the aggregate scoreline.
Howe and his coaching staff also deserve their plaudits after implementing a smart gameplan to negate Arsenal's threat, while also offering enough attacking threat with their dangerous front three.
From Newcastle's perspective, they are now just one game away from claiming their first major domestic trophy since 1955, which would cement this current crop of players in the club's long history.
NEWCASTLE VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS
Isak's disallowed goal vs. Arsenal (4th min, Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal)
Alexander Isak with a top-class finish for Newcastle but it doesn't count as VAR says it's offside ❌ pic.twitter.com/KlfE1uwwMo
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
Isak gets St James' Park roaring in the opening five minutes. The Sweden international drives into the box from Gordon's through ball, before blasting a right-foot shot past Raya. However, Newcastle's joy proves to be short-lived as referee Simon Hooper announces to the stadium that the goal has been ruled out for offside.
Murphy goal vs. Arsenal (19th min, Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal)
"DENIED ONCE, BUT NOT THIS TIME!"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
Alexander Isak's effort hits the post but Jacob Murphy is there to finish off the rebound 🎯 pic.twitter.com/YcULFNSHIM
This one will not be disallowed. Just moments after Martin Odegaard strikes the woodwork, the Magpies race up the opposite end of the pitch to extend their aggregate advantage to three goals. Isak's thunderous effort crashes against the woodwork before falling to Murphy, who places it into the awaiting net to spark scenes of jubilation among the home support.
Gordon goal vs. Arsenal (52nd min, Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal)
St James' Park is ROCKING! 🎵🔥
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
Newcastle capitalise on some sloppy play from Arsenal at the back and Anthony Gordon extends the lead ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/eSHmxkmpha
Newcastle double their advantage on the night after Arsenal fail to learn from their mistakes. First, Gordon curls the ball just wide of Raya's goal after stealing possession from Saliba. Just minutes later, Raya puts Declan Rice under immense pressure with a riskt pass. Fabian Schar wins the ball ahead of the England midfielder, with his tackle teeing up Gordon for a simple finish.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ANTHONY GORDON
© Imago
Newcastle produced a strong team display to seal their place in the final, and while it is tricky to pick out one key man, Gordon probably gets the nod over his teammates for the Man of the Match.
The England international showcased his creativity with a couple of through balls which led to Isak's disallowed goal and contributed to Newcastle's opener.
Gordon may have been gifted the chance to double Newcastle's advantage, but he ultimately kept his composure to apply the finishing touches to score the goal which quashed any faint hopes of an Arsenal fightback.
NEWCASTLE VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS
Possession: Newcastle 32%-68% Arsenal
Shots: Newcastle 10-11 Arsenal
Shots on target: Newcastle 3-3 Arsenal
Corners: Newcastle 1-12 Arsenal
Fouls: Newcastle 12-11 Arsenal
BEST STATS
5 & 14 - Jacob Murphy has five goals in all competitions this season - his most in a single season for Newcastle. Indeed, he has 14 goal involvements in 2024-25 (5 goals, 9 assists), his most in a single campaign since 2016-17 for Norwich (16 - 10 goals, 6 assists). Productive. pic.twitter.com/DuNxaFguHY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 5, 2025
Jacob Murphy's appearances against North London sides this season:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 5, 2025
🅰️ vs. Tottenham (H)
🅰️ vs. Tottenham (A)
🅰️ vs. Arsenal (A)
⚽️ vs. Arsenal (H)
Always involved. #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/rs71XdmX2d
5 - This is the fifth time Arsenal have lost to Eddie Howe's Newcastle in all competitions under Mikel Arteta; only Pep Guardiola (9) and Jürgen Klopp (6) have beaten the Spaniard more in his time in charge of the Gunners. Thorn. pic.twitter.com/F1igKE04OX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 5, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
After sealing their place in the final, Newcastle can now look forward to a Wembley date against either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
In the short term, the Magpies will turn their focus to Saturday's FA Cup clash with Birmingham City, while Arsenal will head to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp.
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