Alexander Isak hits landmark goal as Newcastle United put one foot in League Cup final | OneFootball

Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak continued his hot streak in front of goal by breaking the deadlock in Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Aiming to make home advantage count in the first of a two-legged tie against the Magpies, Mikel Arteta’s men kicked off the contest on the front foot as they looked to open the scoring.

The first big chance of the game fell to Kai Havertz, who saw his effort comfortably gathered by Martin Dubravka from inside the penalty area.

A few minutes later, Jurrien Timber inexplicably failed to head home from about three yards following Declan Rice’s lovely delivery from a corner.

Arsenal’s wastefulness in front of goal continued with Gabriel Martinelli being the next culprit around the half-hour mark, after which the Gunners were punished by in-form Isak.

Having tormented teams via set pieces all season long, Arsenal were undone by one as Sven Botman’s header into the box was touched on by Jacob Murphy to Isak, who finished with aplomb.

That was Isak’s 50th goal in 89 matches for Newcastle, becoming the third-fastest player in the club’s history to reach that milestone after Andy Cole and Les Ferdinand.

The Sweden international remained a thorn in Arsenal’s flesh and played a hand in Anthony Gordon’s clinching strike five minutes into the second period.

Gordon was on hand to tap home Isak’s effort, which was saved by David Raya, from close range to double Newcastle’s lead and put Arsenal at great risk of suffering a first home defeat since April.

Isak was substituted with 25 minutes remaining, after which his teammates did enough to maintain their two-goal advantage and give themselves a huge chance of making it through to a second League Cup final in three years.

Newcastle were beaten by Manchester United in 2023, but Eddie Howe’s side could be about to end their trophy drought, given Isak’s form.