By Korede James
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned Newcastle United a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
It is now two victories against Arsenal this season for Newcastle, who had edged out the Gunners earlier in the season in the English Premier League.
Isak gave the Magpies the lead in the first half before Gordon doubled the lead early in the second half.
Arsenal’s two best opportunities fell to the returning Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli who failed to convert.
The Gunners would hope to turn things around in the second leg at St. James’ Park on February 5.
Arsenal went close in the 10th minute but Dan Burn made a big block to keep out William Saliba’s effort before Lewis Hall got in ahead of Havertz to stop his follow-up.
In the 13th minute, Jurrien Timber got his head on a deep corner but he nodded over the top.
Martinelli then had a big chance to open the scoring on 29 minutes but saw his effort hit the post.
Newcastle then took the lead in the 38th minute thanks to Isak.
A long free-kick by Martin Dúbravka was knocked into the box then touched into the path of Isak by Jacob Murphy and the Swede made no mistake to open the scoring.
Arsenal edged the exchanges early in the second half but it was Newcastle who went 2-0 ahead on 51 minutes, as Gordon tapped home after David Raya had stopped Isak’s intial shot.
In the 59th minute, Havertz had a glorious chance to reduce the deficit after he was presented with a free header but the ball came off his shoulder and went out for a goal kick.
Arsenal piled pressure late in the game in the Newcastle half but could not penetrate a well organised backline.
