Newcastle took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Arsenal as in-form Alexander Isak inspired a 2-0 victory in a pulsating first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal bombarded the Newcastle goal for long stretches of the contest but missed a number of chances, mostly from set-pieces, with just three of their 23 shots on target.
By contrast, Newcastle were ruthless and Isak opened the scoring with his 10th goal in nine games when he pounced on a poor Arsenal defense from a long ball in the first half.
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Alexander Isak gives Newcastle the lead after “poor defending” from Arsenal
The Sweden international was also heavily involved in Newcastle's second, exchanging passes with Jacob Murphy and then firing a cross towards goal that David Ray could only push into the path of Anthony Gordon's run shortly after half-time.
Newcastle haven't won away to Arsenal since November 2010 and were without key duo Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar through suspension, but defended doggedly to hold on to a two-goal lead as the hosts continued to wobble in front of goal.
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Anthony Gordon doubled Newcastle's lead shortly after the break
Kai Havertz, chosen to go forward ahead of the in-form Gabriel Jesus, missed his best chance, heading in a free-kick from close range, but he was not alone in his poor finishing, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post from a one-on-one chance in the first half, and the hosts did not take advantage of a number of dead ball chances.
The two-goal defeat leaves Arsenal, already six points adrift of Liverpool in the Premier League, with a mammoth task of overturning a two-goal deficit in the second leg at St James' Park on Wednesday 5 February. Meanwhile, Newcastle continue to dream of ending their 55-year trophy drought, extending their winning streak to seven games in all competitions.
Tottenham hosted Liverpool in the first leg of the second semi-final, live on Wednesday night Sky Sports at 8 p.m
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Kai Havertz misses a great chance to score in the second half
Arteta regrets the extravagance, but still believes
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said Sky Sports:
“The biggest difference was clinical in the game. In every other aspect, we were the better team. They scored two goals and kudos to them because they managed to win this game.
“When we missed chances and conceded a goal, it's always difficult, but the team reacted. We generated a lot of chances, but the truth is that they defended the box very well.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he fully believes his side can fight back to reach the Carabao Cup final in the second leg
“We can do better with our decisions. We had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, and in the semi-finals you have to be clinical.”
He said of Alexander Isak's goal: “I saw the goal and that's what they do – create chaos, and it goes to the wrong player and Isak puts it away.”
In the second leg, he added: “We have to be disappointed because it's another result we wanted, but that's the reality. I have full belief. I've seen my team play against them – I believe we can do it.”
Redknapp: Why did Odegaard mark Isaac?
Sky Sports pounds Jamie Redknapp was baffled that Odegaard was tasked with marking Isaac for the first goal, saying: “The set-piece coach gets a lot of credit – he obviously doesn't do the defensive ones because how can you get Odegaard to mark Isaac?”
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Jamie Redknapp criticizes Martin Odegaard's 'inconsistency' on Alexander Isak for Newcastle's first goal against Arsenal
“He's the best centre-forward in the country at the moment; you have to detail someone to say, 'Where is he? Let's mark him'. Odegaard has no interest in marking him.
“He's the wrong side of Odegaard – it's just a mismatch. Someone has to take that responsibility.
“I know Newcastle are a big team, they have (Sven) Botman, (Dan) Burn, Joelinton. But Arsenal are a big team. You can't have the best centre-forward in the country with so much space. It's pointless.”
Analysis: Isak shows the lack of top Arsenal
Kai Havertz had four scoreless innings. Gabriel Martinelli had three, as did Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal's finishes were in stark contrast to Alexander Isak's clinical brilliance. Both of his shots led to goals for Newcastle.
The first was headed into the net off the crossbar after Sven Botman headed home Martin Dubravka's long free-kick, which was assisted by Jacob Murphy into Isak's path. The second forced David Ray to parry the ball to the feet of a grateful Anthony Gordon.
Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak celebrate against Arsenal
Isak effectively decided this game, as he has many others this season. The 25-year-old is up to 15 goals in all competitions. Three quarters of them came in the space of barely a month. His form has been utterly devastating and Arsenal are just his latest victim.
Not surprisingly, they are among his suitors. This was the sixth game this season in which they failed to score, and there were seven more in which they scored just one. How could they use a finisher like Isak. Newcastle are feeling the benefits.
Howe: A big step forward, but the tie is still alive
Newcastle the manager Eddie Howe said Sky Sports:
“It was a really interesting game. We started at the front, we tried to take the game to them and be ourselves, which we thought was very important,
“Then we got tired, the players gave so much in the last games. Then the mentality was to defend and we did that very well.
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final is a big step forward for his side but insists the tie is still alive
“We know what's at stake. The players put their bodies on the line and put fatigue aside. We had a few injury problems at half-time that we tried to solve in the game.
“Alex (Isaak) felt a bit stiff in his hamstring, Joe Willock took a nasty knock, Sven (Botman) felt his groin. We creaked a bit in the second half so I made changes to try and stay strong in the game.
“It's a tough pitch and we've suffered here before. Today is another big step forward when you look at the recent run we've had away from home. We're playing with confidence and belief and that helps when you're defending in the last moments. The draw is still very well balanced .
“We know that we have our supporters with us in the second leg, which will be very important, but we will still have to do everything right to get through this game.”