An electric night at St James’ Park and an incredible display from Eddie Howe’s Mags as we booked our place in March’s Carabao Cup final following a 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal.
The lads did us proud, the atmosphere was superb, Eddie Howe outthought Arteta (again) and we players outfought and outclassed an Arsenal side who were bullied from start to finish.
For all the pre-match anxiety, the team gave us nothing to worry about on the night, delivering a titanic display from start to finish and tactical masterclass as goals from Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon sent us through.
Joelinton (knee) missed out and Howe changed system, bringing in Botman and Trippier as part of a back five, meaning Livramento missed out. A surprise change in system, but perhaps one to add height to our side in big Joe’s absence – and it worked an absolute treat!
After ACDC’s Thunderstruck and Jonny Blue Hat’s superb rendition of local hero before kick-off the scene was well and truly set. St James’ Park was absolutely rocking and the team responded.
The first half was perfection. An electric atmosphere, a goal (almost two!), high intensity, rock solid defending and a team bullying Arsenal all over the pitch as we won our duels and took our charge to counter every time we turned over the ball.
After Isak’s opener was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check, we could’ve gone into our shells but did anything but, responding with a goal that would not be chalked off as Murphy tapped in from Isak’s one-on-one effort that struck the post. 1-0 Newcastle and 3-0 in the tie!
The back five was met with a very mixed reaction online an hour before kick off, but it worked perfectly in frustrating Arsenal, as Botman bullied Havertz in a monstrous first half display from the big Dutchman, who made one massive block, won everything in the air and showed real composure in playing out from the back.
Trippier was strong in the air and didn’t give Trossard an inch, Burn made one superb challenge to deny Nwanieri before the break, Tonali was everywhere and put in a huge shift alongside Bruno in big Joe’s absence.
The second half was the same story and it only got worse for the Gunners as we soon made it 2-0 on night and 4-0 in the tie. More brilliant pressing and a Gordon goal to send the Gallowgate wild before he and Bruno celebrated by waving black and white scarves thrown on by fans! The fact Schar picked Rice’s pocket from Raya’s short goal kick summed up our brave and bold approach on the night, setting up Gordon for a simple tap in.
Arsenal could not find a way past the black and white wall facing Arteta’s blunt attack, with our centre-backs continuing to bully Havertz and our effort levels summed up by Gordon’s relentless recovery run to shepherd the ball out of play. 4-0 up on aggregate and the game all but done with 20 minutes left, yet we were still sprinting for every ball and winning every fight.
There were so many huge performances on the night. Botman was the pick of our centre-back (who were all excellent) and didn’t put a foot wrong, Trippier was outstanding and got right into their faces – quite literally at times – and Gordon never stopped, causing Arsenal havoc at both ends with his endless energy, pace and direct dribbling.
A priceless moment in the second half saw the St James’ Park crowd chant ‘MIKEL ARTETA, IT MUST BE THE BALL.’ This was his laughable ‘excuse’ after their first leg defeat at the Emirates and one we didn’t forget!
Howe made a few late changes as Krafth, Willock, Longstaff and Wilson all came on for Botman – who has a knock to his knee – Tonali, Bruno and Isak, helping ease to another emphatic win over Arteta’s Arsenal.
14 years ago today, Cheick Tiote scored THAT goal in a 4-4 draw with Arsenal. Tonight, his son walked out with Bruno before we beat Arsenal to reach the Carabao Cup final. Your dad did you proud, Rafael!
A magical night and truly magnificent performance from all involved. Next stop, Birmingham City away in the FA Cup before a trip to Man City next weekend.
WE’RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!
Starting XI: (5-2-3) Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Subs: Pope, Wilson, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Livramento, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
Talk is still Arsenal missed out on not getting Isak as if it was their decision not to buy him?!?!! 🤯😡
We’ve just THUMPED them 4-0 on agg!!
Surely the talk should be which of their players want to join NUFC??!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
There was a lot of nerves jangling in Geordie land last night – but one man who was cool as a cucumber was Eddie Howe.
He set the team up to do a job and it was far from park the bus as was suggested to him in his pre match interview.
He took Arteta to school and our boys carried out their roles perfectly.
I suspect that’s how Amorim is desperately trying to get Man Utd playing too.
Outstanding from Howe 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
We were brilliant and deserve our spot in the final, just hope we don’t get Liverpool in the final as we just struggle against them.
Even when we are better they seem to get huge luck against us.
Would be lovely to win a cup, just wish our Lew was still here to see it.😢
kimtoon(Quote)
Did you see Murphy’s stats from last night.
From the BBC ‘In 80 minutes on the pitch he registered two successful passes, from five attempted, among 14 touches – with one of which he effectively sent Newcastle to Wembley after 19 minutes.’
PremAndUp(Quote)
Bloody hell
kimtoon(Quote)
Prem – I think his job changed a bit with that new formation & with Trippier on the overlap. Also, a lot of the play seemed to go down the left side with Gordon & Hall.
He still seemed to run his sock off & ultimately stuck away a goal that was more difficult than it looked imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We absolutely outplayed Arsenal last night. Some stand out players for, Gordon, Trippier, Isak and Botman, but they all played very well. I just loved Gordon’s pass back to Isak that ultimately brought the goal from Murphy.
The commentators boiled my pi.ss with continuously trying to sell Isak to Arsenal and wishing Arsenal this and Arsenal that. We never get decent unbiased commentary these days.
Re the final, I’d be much happier playing Spurs, only because most of the refs and VAR seem to be wearing red shirts these days. E.g. Andy (I’m going make sure Newcastle don’t get a winner in the last few minutes), Madley!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
One thing I question about last night was Isaks disallowed goal.
Why was that not replayed and the lines shown??? Usually always is – but the ref made the announcement.
Nothing to announce if the goals given though is there 🤔.
Very questionable imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone watching the Spurs, Liverpool game? VVD just elbowed Richardson in the neck, nothing, not even a yellow. This is why LiVARpool will be assisted in winning the cup.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And yes, Sharpy, that disallowed goal looked good to me. It took them an awful long time to find a way to chalk it off.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So it’s LiVARpool then. They’ve battered Spurs. What will be, will be!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Knew we’d get them in the final. Can’t say I’m confident now. Even when they play **** they fluke a lucky goal.
Ah well, you never know.
kimtoon(Quote)
Not a single shot on target from Spurs!!!!
Pathetic!!. I can’t believe pundits still talk about some of the ‘top 6’ clubs like they are still that.
Liverpool will be a tough game for sure & I wish it wasn’t 5 weeks away.
Tough rest of Feb now for us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hope that getting into the final, doesn’t impact our play negatively like it did the last time. We seemed to fold the last time we got into the final and games leading up to it, we were absolutely rubbish. We cannot allow that to happen again or it’s goodbye European football.
We need a good win against Birmingham at the weekend to keep confidence up high. Potential banana skin match to be honest.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – it defo felt like players were trying to keep themselves fit in the lead up to Wembley rather than win those games.
I think the occasion got the better of the players when we got to Wembley too. I really hope we have the same courage as we showed against Arsenal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t think we have much chance against Liverpool, they are so used to winning stuff that mentally they will do it even when playing below par.
kimtoon(Quote)
Manure win with a clearly offside goal … of course they do. No VAR. I’d be seething if I was a Leicester fan. 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Linesman needs investigation after that. He’s right in line, can see clearly that Maguire is offside by quite a bit, no toenails involved, but doesn’t flag. Incompetence or corruption? 🤷🏻♂️. I’m glad it wasn’t against us! 😬😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)