Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United got the better of Arsenal at St James Park as they steered to a narrow win to end Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season.
It was a heated clash between the two sides who had kept up with a remarkable start to the season.
Arsenal went into the game unbeaten after 10 games and had hoped to salvage at least a point from the Magpies.
Eddie Howe needed no morale-booster going into the clash after his side dispatched Manchester United at ease at Old Trafford in Carabao Cup in a mid-week clash.
Arsenal, on the other hand, saw their unbeaten start to the campaign hit a death knell at London Stadium as they stumbled to a 3-1 defeat to David Moyes’ West Ham United.
The Gunners needed to up their game against the Magpies who have steered themselves off the mark to join ranks with top four contenders since last term.
The match started with both sides struggling to control proceedings. The two sides matched each other in possession and attack but Arsenal seemed more deadly with the ball upfront.
The Gunners recorded more attempts on target than the home side but failed to make them count.
It was previously tardy affair at the start before the game suddenly took a frantic pace with both sides battling to outplay the other with speed, pace, and possession.
The first half ended barren but Arsenal were the better side going into the interval. However, they needed a better performance to wedge off the Magpies’ pacey and speedy counter attack.
Newcastle United improved immensely in the second half and were ramming the game down the throats of Arsenal with a huge presence in Arsenal’s half.
The Gunners also made well their attacking flair going forward but were still unable to unsettle the Magpies’ backline.
It was still barren at the hour mark before Newcastle United got the better of the visitors four minutes later.
Former Everton star Anthony Gordon shone for the Magpies with a brilliant goal to put the home side ahead thanks to Joelington’s assist.
Arsenal attempted to mount an immediate response after conceding but met the brink wall defense of the hosts. It was a deadlock for the Gunners in Newcastle’s half.
With a more dominant display and a marathon of pressure, the visitors perfectly had the game in control but could not break the deadlock to even the scores.
Newcastle United fell back in their numbers to defend the lead while hoping to catch the visitors off guard on counters. They dragged the game to the end without conceding a goal and ran out with a hard-fought 1-0 win to end the Gunners’ unbeaten start.
Arsenal still sit 3rd on the Premier League table with 24 points after the defeat while Newcastle United climbs to 6th with 20 points.
