By Samuel A. February 6, 2025
Newcastle reached the Carabao Cup final for the second time in three seasons after back to back 2-0 wins over Arsenal in the Carabao cup semifinal. Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon struck for Eddie Howe’s men, extending the advantage they gained in the first leg at the Emirates on January 7 to book a spot at Wembley on March 16.
Newcastle almost made a perfect start to the game at St James’ Park. In-form Alexander Isak – who has been on red hot form, escaped behind the Arsenal defence and found the net with a brutal, devastating finish. The Swede lapped up every second of the home fans’ impassioned celebrations, but was quickly brought back down to earth when referee Simon Hooper announced to the stadium over the PA system the goal had been ruled out for offside following a VAR review. 15 minutes later, they scored one that did count. Gabriel and William Saliba were again unable to contain Isak, who smashed an unstoppable shot off the left-hand post. Momentarily, Arsenal thought they were in the clear, until Murphy arrived to mop up and strike into an empty net.
Within three minutes of the second half starting, Gordon pinched the ball from the feet of Saliba and, with Gunners goalkeeper David Raya off his line, tried his luck from 40 yards, with the ball skipping just wide of the left-hand post, but Arsenal handed their hosts a ticket to Wembley very shortly afterwards. Raya played the ball to Declan Rice, who was pressed and dispossessed by Fabian Schar, with the loose ball springing for Gordon, who struck low into the bottom left corner.
Any hopes Arsenal had of getting back into the tie evaporated there and then, giving Newcastle a shot at redemption against Liverpool – who battered spurs on Wednesday – after losing their first final at Wembley two years ago against Manchester United.
