Dominic Scurr reflects on Newcastle United's 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win at Arsenal. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon the scorers.
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00:00Here at the Emirates Stadium where Newcastle United have beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
00:08Only half time but one foot to Wembley for Newcastle United.
00:13One big step forward and a seventh win in a row for Eddie Howe and his side.
00:18I mean Spurs took a lot out of Newcastle, Manchester United took a lot out of Newcastle.
00:23This game certainly did as well but Newcastle managed to get it over the line.
00:29I say just, I mean the goal did live a bit of a charmed life in the second half
00:35but crucially they were 2-0 ahead thanks to 15th goal of the season from Alexander Isak
00:41and another goal from Anthony Gordon tapping in from David Reah's parry from Isak's shot.
00:47So yeah Newcastle led 2-0 and from then pretty much shut up shop.
00:52Defended very well although Eddie Howe said there was possibly a few moments where
00:57the side rode the luck and I'd probably tend to agree there.
01:01Newcastle actually went with a sort of 5-4-0 in the second half, sorry 5-5-0 in the second half
01:08with Alexander Isak coming off and yeah Newcastle it was backs against the walls at times
01:15just to see out that 2-0 win but they did it.
01:18Another clean sheet for Martin Dabravka who I'll get on to now
01:23because obviously a lot of speculation around his future and a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
01:29Reports from Saudi Arabia would have you believe a move is imminent, a lot of noise around Dabravka
01:35and his future would suggest that that is the direction things are travelling, a move to Saudi Arabia
01:42but Eddie Howe came out and sort of set up his stance after the full-time whistle.
01:47Martin Dabravka just behind me there was serenaded by the Newcastle United support
01:52as he was the last player to leave the pitch.
01:54He looked emotional, sort of wiping tears away from his eyes.
01:58I didn't get that good a look but certainly appeared emotional.
02:02He was the last player to leave the pitch and if he does leave Newcastle United
02:06he will leave with his head held high because five clean sheets in seven games,
02:11seven appearances, seven wins this season.
02:13I mean it's a complete contrast to last season where it was like Martin Dabravka
02:17you're almost waiting for Nick Pope to come back.
02:19Now it's almost the opposite, Nick Pope could be back quite soon
02:22but Martin Dabravka, Newcastle look such a good team with him in it
02:26and tonight he was very good.
02:28He made a couple of good saves, didn't have to be all over the shop
02:32as sometimes you can be when you're under the caution in that way.
02:36I thought there were shades of maybe PSG away in the Champions League
02:39where Nick Pope obviously had a really good game
02:41but Martin Dabravka was a little bit less dramatic I should say
02:47where he was claiming balls, punching balls and just commanding his area very well
02:53and he made a couple of good saves to go with that.
02:56So a deserved clean sheet for him.
02:58Sven Botman as well, heroic.
03:00Dan Byrne, Lewis Hall, the best left back in English football right now.
03:05Proved that once again tonight.
03:07And Alexander Isak, best striker in Europe right now.
03:10I don't think there's any denying that because 15 goals for the season now
03:16he was taken off about 65 minutes after a slight hamstring issue at half-time.
03:21It was a difficult half-time talk, Eddie Howe said,
03:24where Sven Botman feeling his groin.
03:26He got through another 90 minutes again
03:28and Alexander Isak feeling his hamstring
03:31but lack of forward options on the bench if you like
03:35other than Willa Sula who Eddie Howe has notoriously sort of limited his minutes
03:41in such a big game.
03:43You can see why he tried to keep Alexander Isak on for as long as possible.
03:46He lasted 20 minutes in the second half.
03:48Played a key role in the goal early, shortly after half-time I should say.
03:53So yeah, another big shift from him.
03:56And now Newcastle can have, I'd say most of the players who started tonight
04:01can have the best part of a week off.
04:04The Bromley game on Sunday, you'd expect plenty of squad rotation
04:08after such a difficult, demanding festive period
04:12where Eddie Howe and his side have got through with flying colours
04:15but certainly it's taken its toll physically on the squad and the team.
04:20So yeah, plenty of rotation expected for Bromley.
04:22Will Martin Dubravka still be at the club?
04:24Well, not sure.
04:26Eddie Howe obviously asked after the game about Martin Dubravka's situation
04:30and he said he has nothing more to add but he will speak to Paul Mitchell I'm sure
04:35who will have a more clear picture on the situation
04:38obviously being the sporting director of the club.
04:41So yeah, it sounds like it's almost a hot overhead thing.
04:46Martin Dubravka, again, coy on his future.
04:50Paul Mitchell obviously dealing with things behind the scenes
04:54and Eddie Howe came out and said in the press conference
04:57not only does he want Martin Dubravka to stay,
04:59wants him to sign a new contract at Newcastle
05:01but I'll go back to what Eddie Howe has previously said,
05:05has to respect the players' wishes as well.
05:07So while Eddie Howe wants that to happen,
05:10the situation is almost out of his hands in terms of what the club need or want,
05:16although based on recent results you'd argue Martin Dubravka should stay,
05:20but then also what the player wants.
05:22Where, I mean, if he's got a two-year deal on the table at Al-Shabaab,
05:28which we believe is the case,
05:30yet likely a more lucrative deal than what he currently has at Newcastle
05:35which expires in June,
05:37it's one of those situations where you go,
05:40look, I've been at the club seven years,
05:43he's 36 this month, I've had a nice payday as well
05:47and a nice life playing in the Saudi Pro League to end his career,
05:52then fair play to him.
05:54He's done his years in the Premier League,
05:57he's been a great servant to Newcastle United
05:59and continues to be as things stand,
06:01but how long that will go on,
06:03I'm not sure, it seems to be a little bit all over the place.
06:07The direction, like I say, seems that Martin Dubravka will go to Saudi Arabia,
06:12but Eddie Howe definitely does not want that to happen
06:16and he made that clear in his press conference after the game.
06:19But take nothing away, 6,000 Geordies here tonight,
06:23a great night in the capital for them.
06:25It's not often you come away to the likes of Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal
06:31and win three games, especially on the bounce,
06:35three away games, three wins, seven in a row in all competitions now
06:40and tell me Ma, that's what the Newcastle fans will be singing
06:46when we're at St James' Park in about a month's time on February 5th.
06:51So we'll see you there and in the meantime,
06:53we'll have all the updates on Martin Dubravka's situation,
06:55the reaction to this match here at Emirates Stadium
06:59and looking ahead to the Bromley game as well on Sunday
07:02back at St James' Park over on the Shields Gazette website.
07:06I've been Dominic Scurr, follow me at domscurr on Twitter
07:10and of course remember to follow the Shields Gazette at shieldsgazette.com.
07:14Cheers.