Newcastle vs Arsenal LIVE: Carabao Cup semi-final result and reaction as Gordon and Murphy send hosts through

In partnership with

The Independent

·5 February 2025

Newcastle vs Arsenal LIVE: Carabao Cup semi-final result and reaction as Gordon and Murphy send hosts through

✕

Close

OneFootball Videos

‘A great day for us’ – Arteta on Arsenal’s 5-1 humbling of Man City

Newcastle United reached the Carabao Cup final for the second time in three years with a superb 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal in the semi-finals.

Leading 2-0 after the first leg in London, Eddie Howe’s team banished any thoughts of an upset when Alexander Isak banged the ball into the back of the net with only five minutes on the clock. His goal was eventually ruled out for offside but the tone was set.

The crucial moments of the game came in the first half. At 0-0, Martin Odegaard had the chance to send Arsenal ahead but struck the post. Newcastle then swept up the pitch and Isak’s effort found the woodwork before Jacob Murphy turned the ball home. There was less than a minute between Odegaard’s chance and Murphy’s goal.

From there Newcastle were in control. They had less possession but more shots on target. Arsenal lost their heads and a high press brought a second goal. Fabian Schar nicking the ball off Declan Rice to set up Anthony Gordon.

Newcastle won 2-0 on the night and secured their trip to Wembley.

Pinned

Wembley beckons for irrepressible Newcastle after damaging night for Arsenal

Newcastle United stand on the brink of history, 90 minutes away from ending their 70-year wait. Without a domestic trophy since 1955, 2025 may be their year. Wembley beckons and perhaps the club lamenting a lack of major silverware will instead be Arsenal. Unless they win either the Premier or the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s side will bring up five years without a prize beyond the Community Shield.

It is not a drought by Newcastle’s standards but after the euphoria of Sunday’s demolition of Manchester City came a damaging night on Tyneside for Arsenal. They ended up overwhelmed by Newcastle’s relentless running, overcome by goals from two wingers, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon, overpowered by a striker, in Alexander Isak, who they had coveted and who now serves as their tormentor. Arsenal’s winter transfer window ended without a signing, to their regret. Newcastle were as inactive but had further proof of Eddie Howe’s ability to galvanise them on a night when St James’ Park felt electrifying and United irrepressible. They played at a ferocious pace, with a hunger that showed them at their best.

More from Eddie Howe:

"We wanted to get pressure on them [William Saliba and Gabriel] and in order to do that we had to get bodies in the right areas and press high - that is how we decided to do it.

"You know you are playing against elite players and one mistake can make things difficult. We had to be ourselves, be front foot. If not then it can quickly be 1-0 and 2-0 and then you are on the back foot.

"We had to work on set plays as their set play threat is so high. In the reverse fixture there were some moments where we got a bit lucky. Again our team selection was based on having height, especially without Joelinton, we needed Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Sven Botman. We defended the set plays really well today.

"It is huge [to get back to Wembley]. The first appearance there was a bit unexpected, but the club we want to be we have to be there regularly, so it's not a surprise. We are there on merit, our run has not been easy this year, we've faced four Premier League teams, so we have done the hard yards.

"Hopefully we can learn from the last experience and improve our performance."

Mike Jones5 February 2025 22:37