Newcastle United secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Arsenal FC in a thrilling cup tie held at St James' Park on 5th February 2025. The match kicked off at 9:00 PM, with a vibrant crowd of 52,173 fans in attendance, creating an electric atmosphere that spurred the home side on to victory.
Newcastle adopted a 5-4-1 formation, which saw Martin Dubravka in goal, shielded by a back five consisting of Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall as the right and left defenders, respectively, while Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, and Sven Botman formed the central defensive trio. In midfield, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy operated as right and left midfielders, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali anchoring the central midfield. Up front, Alexander Ishak led the line as the lone striker. This setup was designed to provide defensive solidity while allowing the wing-backs to push forward and support the attack.
The substitutes for Newcastle included Joe Willock, Emil Krafth, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, and Lewis Miley, who would be called upon to make an impact later in the match.
The match began with an early foul from Anthony Gordon, who pushed an Arsenal player in the first minute, setting the tone for a fiercely contested encounter. Just a few minutes later, Alexander Ishak was penalised for obstruction, as Newcastle looked to assert their dominance. However, Ishak found himself on the wrong side of the linesman shortly after, being flagged offside due to a mistimed run.
As the game progressed, Kieran Trippier was penalised for a trip in the eighth minute, while Ishak again found himself on the receiving end of a foul, this time for tripping an opponent. Gordon continued to be involved, committing another foul in the twelfth minute, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm.
Defensively, Fabian Schar was a standout performer, making a crucial interception in the 14th minute to prevent a potential chance for Arsenal. Lewis Hall then attempted to break the deadlock with a shot that went wide in the 15th minute. Schar was again in the thick of the action, blocking an Arsenal attempt in the 20th minute, before Ishak came close, hitting the post with a powerful strike.
The breakthrough finally came in the 20th minute when Jacob Murphy tapped in from close range, giving Newcastle a well-deserved lead. The goal was a result of persistent pressure and a well-worked move that left the Arsenal defence exposed. Martin Dubravka showcased his goalkeeping prowess shortly after, making a point-blank reaction save in the 23rd minute to keep Newcastle ahead.
Sven Botman contributed defensively with a header in the 25th minute, while Gordon's push in the 25th minute resulted in yet another foul. Trippier's late tackle in the 31st minute further highlighted the intensity of the match as the first half drew to a close.
The second half commenced with Bruno Guimaraes committing a late tackle just after the restart, earning himself a yellow card for his troubles. Anthony Gordon then had two attempts in quick succession, both of which went wide, as Newcastle sought to extend their lead.
The 52nd minute saw Gordon find the back of the net with a stunning strike from outside the box, assisted by Schar, doubling Newcastle's advantage. Arsenal struggled to respond, with Ishak's attempt in the 60th minute saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
However, Newcastle's Sandro Tonali made a costly mistake in the 61st minute due to poor concentration, leading to a foul in the 67th minute. Dubravka continued to impress, making a punch and a catch in quick succession in the 69th minute, demonstrating his command of the area.
As the match entered its final stages, Newcastle made a series of substitutions, bringing on Emil Krafth and Joe Willock in the 80th minute, followed by Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson shortly after. Bruno Guimaraes was flagged offside in the 85th minute, as Newcastle maintained their composure.
In the dying moments of the match, Guimaraes had a chance to add to the scoreline but shot wide in the 89th minute. The final substitutions saw Lewis Miley replace Guimaraes in the 92nd minute, while Fabian Schar received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 93rd minute after a trip.
Dubravka capped off a stellar performance with a catch from a cross in the 94th minute, ensuring a clean sheet for Newcastle. The referee, Simon Hooper, officiated the match with aplomb, contributing to a well-managed contest.
In the end, Newcastle's resolute defence and clinical finishing proved decisive, as they advanced in the cup competition with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal, much to the delight of the home supporters. Anthony Gordon's standout performance earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, highlighting his pivotal role in the team's success.
