Newcastle end Arsenal’s unbeaten run with a lone goal victory
Newcastle ended Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season as VAR controversially allowed Anthony Gordon’s goal to stand in the Magpies’ explosive 1-0 victory on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side were defeated for the first time in 11 league games, with the manner of their loss leaving a bitter taste.
Joelinton clearly pushed Arsenal defender Gabriel as the pair challenged for Joe Willock’s cross, with the ball running for Gordon to score from close-range.
As well as appealing in vain for a foul by Joelinton, Arsenal angrily claimed the ball had gone out before Willock’s cross.
It was one of a host of debatable moments in a tempestuous encounter at St James’ Park.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes were both lucky to avoid red cards in the first half.
Coming just days after they crashed out of the League Cup at West Ham, Arsenal’s second successive loss was a painful blow to their title bid.
Arteta’s men sit in third place, three points behind leaders Manchester City, with Tottenham able to move into pole position and climb five points ahead of their north London rivals if they beat Chelsea on Monday.
Newcastle’s victory capped a memorable week for Eddie Howe’s sixth-placed team, who knocked Manchester United out of the League Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
In a scrappy first half, perspiration rather than inspiration was the driving force as both teams thudded into tackles and pressed relentlessly.
Much of the frenetic action ended with a lack of focus and composure in the final third and Newcastle failed to muster a single shot in the opening half hour.