Newcastle United cruise past Arsenal to reach EFL Cup final

Newcastle United have booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a dominant 4-0 aggregate victory over Arsenal. Eddie Howe’s side, already in control after a 2-0 first-leg win at the Emirates, sealed their Wembley trip with another commanding performance at St. James’ Park, winning 2-0 on the night.

No way back for Arsenal

With a two-goal cushion from the first leg, Newcastle entered the return fixture with confidence, knowing they had one foot in the final. Arsenal, despite sitting second in the Premier League, failed to mount a comeback. From the opening whistle, it was clear that Mikel Arteta’s side lacked the sharpness and creativity needed to trouble Newcastle’s resolute defense. Jurriën Timber returned to the starting lineup for Arsenal, but his presence did little to inspire a turnaround. Newcastle, remained solid and composed. Their dominance was confirmed in the 20th minute when Jacob Murphy reacted quickest to a rebound, slotting the ball past goalkeeper David Raya to make it 1-0. Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances, a problem that haunted them throughout both legs. Their failure to break Newcastle’s defensive structure proved costly, and early in the second half, the tie was effectively over. A misplaced pass in Arsenal’s buildup play allowed Anthony Gordon to pounce and fire home a clinical finish, doubling Newcastle’s lead and putting the game beyond doubt.

Newcastle’s history in the Carabao Cup

The Magpies will now prepare for their third-ever League Cup final, hoping to claim their first title in the competition. Despite a rich footballing history, Newcastle have never lifted the Carabao Cup, having lost their previous two final appearances. In 1976, they fell 2-1 to Manchester City, while in 2023, they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United. However, this season’s Newcastle side look stronger and more determined than ever. With their solid defense, clinical attack, and a manager in Eddie Howe who has transformed the team’s fortunes, the Magpies will head to Wembley believing they can finally end their long wait for silverware.

Awaiting their final opponent

Newcastle will face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the final on March 16. Spurs take a narrow 1-0 lead into the second leg at Anfield, where Liverpool will look to overturn the deficit and set up a showdown at Wembley. Regardless of who they face, Newcastle have made a statement with their dominant performances in the semifinals. The club’s long-suffering fans, who have waited since 1955 for a major domestic trophy, will now dare to dream as their team stands on the brink of history.