Newcastle United reached the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday evening as they beat Arsenal 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final at St James’ Park.
The hosts were aiming to protect their two-goal advantage from the first leg and believed they had added to it after just four minutes. Alexander Isak converted Anthony Gordon’s direct pass in style but the Swede’s clinical strike was ruled out for offside.
Martin Odegaard came close to firing Arsenal ahead in the 18th minute but could only find the outside of the post with his side-footed effort. The Norwegian’s profligacy was punished almost immediately as Jacob Murphy converted from close range at the other end after Isak struck the woodwork.
Anthony Gordon secured Newcastle’s place in the showpiece event seven minutes after the restart as he capitalised on a horror pass from David Raya to give the Magpies a four-goal advantage on aggregate.
Arsenal half-heartedly pushed for a consolation but failed to break down Newcastle’s stubborn rearguard, who held firm as the Magpies took a huge step towards their first major domestic trophy since 1955.
Newcastle will face the winner of the Thursday’s tie between Tottenham and Liverpool, with Spurs currently 1-0 ahead from the first leg. Eddie Howe’s side will look forward to the showpiece even on Sunday 16 March.
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Martin Dubravka |
8.0/10 |
|
RB: Kieran Trippier |
7.1/10 |
|
CB: Fabian Schar |
7.8/10 |
|
CB: Sven Botman |
7.9/10 |
|
CB: Dan Burn |
7.9/10 |
|
LB: Lewis Hall |
7.8/10 |
|
RM: Jacob Murphy |
8.1/10 |
|
CM: Bruno Guimaraes |
7.2/10 |
|
CM: Sandro Tonali |
6.9/10 |
|
LM: Anthony Gordon |
8.3/10 |
|
ST: Alexander Isak |
6.9/10 |
|
SUB: Joe Willock (80′ for Murphy) |
5.8/10 |
|
SUB: Emil Krafth (80′ for Botman) |
6.0/10 |
|
SUB: Callum Wilson (87′ for Isak) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Sean Longstaff (87′ for Tonali) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Lewis Miley (90+1′ for Guimaraes) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Nick Pope (GK), Tino Livramento, Matt Targett, William Osula.
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: David Raya |
5.0/10 |
|
RB: Jurrien Timber |
6.5/10 |
|
CB: William Saliba |
5.8/10 |
|
CB: Gabriel |
6.2/10 |
|
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly |
7.2/10 |
|
CM: Martin Odegaard |
6.9/10 |
|
CM: Thomas Partey |
6.7/10 |
|
CM: Declan Rice |
6.1/10 |
|
RW: Gabriel Martinelli |
5.9/10 |
|
ST: Kai Havertz |
5.6/10 |
|
LW: Leandro Trossard |
6.1/10 |
|
SUB: Ethan Nwaneri (37′ for Martinelli) |
5.8/10 |
|
SUB: Mikel Merino (61′ for Odegaard) |
6.0/10 |
|
SUB: Raheem Sterling (61′ for Trossard) |
5.8/10 |
|
SUB: Riccardo Calafiori (78′ for Timber) |
6.8/10 |
|
SUB: Jorginho (78′ for Partey) |
6.1/10 |
Subs not used: Tommy Setford (GK), Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney.