Newcastle United booked their place in the EFL Cup final with a 2-0 win over Arsenal at St. James’ Park, beating them 4-0 on aggregate.
With Newcastle holding a comfortable lead from the first leg in early January, goals from Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon sealed their trip to Wembley, where they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham next month.
Alexander Isak thought he had settled the home fans’ early nerves within just four minutes, racing in behind before rifling a powerful shot into the top-left corner, but it was chalked off for a tight offside.
Martin Odegaard sliced a brilliant chance wide as he searched for an equaliser before the miss was duly punished. From the resulting long goal-kick, Isak played a one-two with Gordon, only to rattle the crossbar, but Murphy was on hand to coolly turn in the rebound.
Leandro Trossard forced Martin Dubravka into a low save at the end of the first half, but Arsenal could not continue that momentum in the second period, as mistakes played their part.
Gordon nicked the ball off William Saliba deep in Arsenal’s half before trying his luck from range with David Raya off his line, only to see his effort swerve wide of the far post.
However, he took his second chance shortly after. Raya played Declan Rice into trouble, with Fabian Schar’s pressure teeing up Gordon to slot it into the left-hand corner.
Ethan Nwaneri and Rice both had half-chances saved in the latter stages, with the game already beyond Arsenal.
