Newcastle vs Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Toon into Carabao Cup final after superb win as Arsenal CRASH OUT after Odegaard miss
NEWCASTLE UNITED are into the final of the Carabao Cup after a 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal!
The Toon beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates last week but had their heart in their mouths when Martin Odegaard hit the post with an early chance.
Almost immediately, Newcastle went down the other end and scored - Jacob Murphy firing in after Alexander Isak's shot cannoned off the post, before Newcastle sealed the game after a horror David Raya pass, with Declan Rice having his pocket picked and Anthony Gordon firing home.
It went from bad to worse for Mikel Arteta as Gabriel Martinelli limped off injured in the first half.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow our live blog below...
That's all from St James' Park
And it's the end of the road in the League Cup for Arsenal.
But Newcastle go marching on - and soon they will be doing so down Wembley Way as they edge closer to a first trophy since 1969.
Will it be Tottenham or Liverpool that they face in the final? Join us at the same time tomorrow to find out.
Goodnight.
Howe hopes for improved Wembley showing
Eddie Howe had led Newcastle to Wembley for the second time in three years - and this time he's determined to go one step further.
The Magpies were brushed aside by Manchester in the 2023 League Cup final, but Howe believes his side are stronger for the experience.
And coupled with their time in the Champions League, the Newcastle boss feels that his squad can now manage the big occasions.
We have come a long way since [the 2023 final v Manchester United]. The Champions League does that to you, it is so testing and unique. Naturally for the big games a lot of the players have been there before, and we are used to the quick turnarounds and work smarter. There is a good feeling about the squad. We are tight on numbers but big on energy. I would love to think we can go to Wembley and perform better than we did previously.
Eddie Howe
Arteta rues missed opportunity
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta blamed his side's inability to take advantage of momentum as the reason they were unable to overturn a first leg deficit.
The Gunners grew strong in the first half with the game at 0-0, but secods after Martin Odegaard had hit the post, Newcastle struck to increase their aggregate lead.
Arteta admitted that the result and semi-final exit had left them hurting, but they will pick themselves up again for the challenges ahead.
We had momentum in the first half and didn't capitalise. They scored immediately after and the momentum shifts. We needed a goal early in the second half and we didn't get that and the opportunity passes. They have been more efficient than us in the boxes and that is the difference in the tie. Today is painful and tomorrow a different day.
Mikel Arteta
What next for Arsenal?
Out of both domestic cups and facing a mini injury crisis, Arsenal's season could be on the brink of collapse.
But the optimists among the Emirates faithful will surely see a clear run at the Premier League as an opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool.
The Gunners only have league fixtures to contend with before European football returns next month while the leaders are fighting on multiple fronts.
Isak impresses on memorable night
Alexander Isak may not have scored this evening, but he put in a tremendous performance that ran Gabriel and William Saliba ragged.
The Newcastle strikes dragged the two Arsenal defenders all over the pitch with his strength, speed and movement, highlighted by his second leg heat map.
Captain Bruno dreaming of trophy
Bruno Guimaraes admits he is dreaming of being the captain to finally end Newcastle's trophy drought and collect some silverware.
The Brazilian put in another tremendous display in the middle of the park, and then paid tribute to his teammates and supporters for their efforts.
And if the Magpies can replicate that performance at Wembley next month then Guimaraes sees no reason why the club won't be celebrating a historic triumph.
It was an unbelievable performance from everyone and we must thank the fans as well. We go to another final for the club and hopeful we can win this one. If we play like that then we can dream big. It would be amazing to get a trophy, it is my dream to do this and especially in my first season as captain.
Bruno Guimaraes
Gordon: It's important to stay humble
It's the phrase on everybody's lips right now.
Speaking straight after the final whistle at St James' Park, Newcastle goalscorer Anthony Gordon urged his teammates to 'stay humble' in their pursuit of a first trophy since 1969.
It's important for us to stay humble now. We went on a really good run and then we had two results that we didn't see coming and we didn't need in our season. This was a good game to put us back on track, but I think we need to keep our heads down and focus on what's in front of us.
Anthony Gordon
Full time - Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
The flags are flying high again and Newcastle are heading back to the home of football.
A semi-final tie as emphatic as they come, Newcastle built on their 2-0 smash and grab from the first leg to boss the second.
Four goals without reply against one of the best in the Premier League has the Toon Army one step closer to their first trophy since 1969.
But there's still a job to do - and that will come against either Liverpool or Tottenham at Wembley on March 16th.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
90+3. One final Arsenal corner is confidently claimed by Martin Dubravka.
Newcastle are on their way to Wembley...
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
90. Four minutes stoppage time.
Four minutes for Newcastle players and fans to savour.
Four minutes before the Arsenal contingent are put out of their misery.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
86. Declan Rice lunges horribly at Bruno Guimaraes.
In other circumstances, you'd worry that the midfielder on the receiving end would stay down - but tonight, Guimaraes leaps to his feet and begins geeing up the crowd.
Safe to says it's party night in Newcastle this evening.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
84. "We're firmly into 'ole' territory..." exclaims commentator Seb Hutchinson as Guimaraes sends a no-look pass around the corner for Isak.
When you haven't won a trophy since 1969, fans are going to enjoy every moment of nights like these.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
82. There are some half-hearted cries for an Arsenal penalty as Havertz goes down, but Schar was just too strong for him.
Clutching at straws.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
80. Jacob Murphy takes the applause of St James' Park as he is subbed off.
The opening goalscorer tonight takes his leave and is replaced by a former Arsenal man in Joe Willock.
Also off is Sven Botman, replaced by Emil Krafth.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
76. A sparkling run from Gordon takes him beyond four Arsenal players in midfield.
Unfortunately for the winger, the fifth he faces is William Saliba. For the first time tonight, the Frenchman comes out on top.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
72. St James' Park is in full voice.
They didn't do themselves justice when they made the League Cup final against Manchester United two years ago. You feel it may be different this time around.
It will be either Liverpool or Tottenham that they face at Wembley.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
70. What incredibly work rate from Gordon, who like Trippier on the other flank, keeps pace with his opponent - in this case, Nwaneri - all the way back to the byline.
And the Newcastle man goes one better, even winning a goalkick with a last-ditch touch on to the Arsenal midfielder.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
67. Newcastle have only conceded once from a corner this season, and it shows as they confidently deal with the latest Arsenal set-piece.
You know things aren't running smoothly for the Gunners when even their dead ball routines are coming up short.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
65. Sterling and Lewis-Skelly combine neatly on the left, but the wise old head of Trippier isn't having it.
He tracks the young left-back all the way to the byline and then blocks behind for a corner.
Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 4-0)
63. It's fair to say the intensity has dropped out of this one.
Both teams know the tie is done, and the final half hour or so will be a formality.