Newcastle United booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal.
Leading 2-0 from the first-leg, Eddie Howe’s side got the job done at St James’ Park with the same scoreline via a goal from Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon in either half.
Th Magpies will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Sunday, March 16.
Howe made two changes to his starting XI from the 2-1 defeat to Fulham and switched to five at the back, with the injured Joelinton replaced by Sven Botman while Kieran Trippier was preferred ahead of Tino Livramento.
Leading 2-0 from the first-leg victory at the Emirates, the Magpies thought they had made it 3-0 after just four minutes when Alexander Isak fired home. However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR check with Isak in an offside position when receiving the ball from Anthony Gordon.
But Newcastle weren’t to be denied a second time when, in the 19th minute, Isak’s effort cannoned off the post, only for Jacob Murphy to skilfully direct the follow-up home.
United then put the tie beyond doubt in the opening stages of the second-half as Fabian Schar robbed Declan Rice of possession, allowing Gordon to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at St James’ Park - and here are his Newcastle United player ratings:
1. Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon (L) celebrates with Newcastle United's English defender #02 Kieran Trippier (R) after scoring his team second goal during the English League Cup semi-final second leg football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England, on February 5, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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2. Martin Dubravka - 7.5
Big save to deny Leandro Trossard’s close range effort at 1-0. Dealt with Arsenal’s set pieces well. But overall had a relatively quiet evening. | Getty Images
3. Kieran Trippier - 8.5
Recalled to the starting XI and looked like the Kieran Trippier of old. A threat going forward and sound defensively. Deserves a run of games in the team. | Getty Images
4. Fabian Schar - 8
Put in a couple of big challenges to get the crowd going, winning the ball high for Anthony Gordon’s goal. The press machine Newcastle never knew they had. | AFP via Getty Images