Newcastle vs Arsenal: Gunners pass difficult test to keep title hopes alive

Newcastle vs Arsenal: Gunners pass difficult test to keep title hopes alive

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 18:39 - 07.05.2023

Arsenal defeated Newcastle 2-0 at St. James' Park to maintain the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Former Chelsea and Newcastle United manager Ruud Gullit has tipped Manchester City's Erling Haaland to win the Ballon d'Or but only on one condition.

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How it happened

Newcastle almost took the lead after 70 seconds, as Jacob Murphy's shot crashed back off the crossbar to give Arsenal a real scare.

The home side continued to press and thought they had a reward when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded an early penalty after Jakub Kiwior’s apparent handball inside the area. But a VAR review saw the decision overturned, as the ball was shown to have struck his leg first.

Against the run of play, Mikel Arteta's men went in front as Odegaard struck in the 14th minute with a low 25-yard strike arrowed into the bottom corner.

Nick Pope soon made amends, however, saving successive one-on-ones from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, as well as a close-range effort from Odegaard just before the interval to keep his side firmly in the contest.

Arsenal doubled their lead and sealed victory late in the second half thanks to the excellent Martinelli.

 He inspired his side’s killer second, with a lung-busting run down the left flank and a low cross that was turned into his own net by Fabian Schär.

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