League Cup tie still alive, says Eddie Howe, despite Newcastle’s 2-0 win at Arsenal in semi 1st leg

LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe urged caution despite a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Jan 7, putting his in-form side within touching distance of a place in the League Cup final.

Goals by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon either side of half-time gave the Magpies a seventh successive win in all competitions, and put them in the driving seat for the second leg of the semi-final at St James’ Park in February.

On all eight occasions since 1987-88 that an away team held a two-goal lead from the first leg, they went on to reach the final and Arsenal have a mountain to climb if they are to keep alive their hopes of a third League Cup triumph.

Howe also took Newcastle to the final in 2023 but they fell short of a first major domestic trophy since 1955, as they were beaten by Manchester United at Wembley.

The delirious Toon Army celebrated at the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium, but the Magpies boss insisted that there was still plenty of work left to set up a final against Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

“Today is another big step forward when you look at the recent run we’ve had away from home,” Howe told Sky Sports.

“We played with real confidence and belief, but in terms of the tie it’s still very much alive and finely balanced, and we have a really tough home leg to come.”

He admitted that his side were creaking in the second half as Arsenal desperately sought a way back, but also said he was proud of the way his team defended.

“There was a lot of fatigue in the second half,” he added.

“We started off on the front foot but then we fatigued and then it was about our mentality to defend. We knew what was at stake and the players put their bodies on the line.”

The importance of silverware to both clubs was reflected in the line-ups as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Howe named their strongest available teams.

Arteta has brought Arsenal back into contention for Premier League titles in recent seasons, but his only trophy in charge of the Gunners came in 2020 by lifting the FA Cup in the early months of his reign.

The home side were able to welcome back Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli from the side who started the 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

But Arsenal’s lack of a lethal striker like Isak proved the difference between the sides. The Gunners had the majority of the ball and the chances but failed to make them count.

“That was the biggest difference in the game. In every other aspect, we were the better team,” said Arteta, on his side’s wasted chances.

“But I have full belief. I have seen my team playing against them. I believe we can do it.”

Martinelli came closest when he took Leandro Trossard’s pass and smashed the ball against the post.

Moments later came the sucker punch. Arsenal, so renowned for their own set-piece threat, allowed a long free kick into their box to fall at the feet of Isak, who fired in off the underside of the bar.

The Swede’s 14th goal in his last 15 games took him to 50 in a Newcastle shirt – doing so in five fewer matches than it took the club’s record scorer Alan Shearer.

Isak also had a major role to play in what could be a decisive second goal in the tie just after the break.

This time the Newcastle striker’s quick feet allowed him to get a shot off that was parried by David Raya into the path of the onrushing Gordon to fire in the rebound and seal the win. REUTERS, AFP