Newcastle crush Arsenal to reach League Cup final
Newcastle players celebrate their victory
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Newcastle United delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday night, sealing their place in the League Cup final with a resounding 2-0 victory over Arsenal at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies, who had already stunned Mikel Arteta’s men with a 2-0 triumph in the first leg at the Emirates, completed a ruthless 4-0 aggregate demolition to book their spot in the final.
From the first whistle, Newcastle exuded confidence, while Arsenal—desperate to overturn their deficit—struggled to find rhythm.
The Gunners’ early attempts to impose themselves faltered against Newcastle’s well-drilled defence, with Martin Dubravka standing as an impenetrable wall between the posts.
The home side wasted no time in asserting their dominance. In the 19th minute, Jacob Murphy sent the St. James’ Park faithful into raptures with a clinical finish, capitalising on Arsenal’s defensive lapses.
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The Gunners, already teetering, saw their hopes shattered early in the second half when Anthony Gordon pounced on a horrendous error from goalkeeper David Raya, slotting home Newcastle’s second goal in the 52nd minute.
As frustration mounted, Arsenal’s attacking forays lacked conviction. Declan Rice came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors in the 89th minute, but Dubravka produced a stunning reflex save to deny him.
Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly both had late chances, but Newcastle’s defence remained resolute.
Tempers flared in the closing moments, with Arsenal players collecting bookings as their desperation turned into frustration.
Raheem Sterling, introduced as a substitute, found himself in the referee’s book, while Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes also picked up cautions for Newcastle.
