Football League Cup: Newcastle 0-1 vs. Arsenal – First Half Report
Arsenal ended the first half of their League Cup tie against Newcastle 1 goal to the good, as the Gunners managed to slip in a late goal just before the break. Newcastle, though, did give the visitors plenty of problems and showed
enough potency to come back and fight in the 2nd half.
As the match started, it had been less than a minute at St James' Park and Newcastle keeper Tim Krul had already made two fine saves. First Tomas Rosicky made the most of Mike Williamson's hesitation to set through Carlos Vela,
who was stopped one-on-one by the home keeper, and then Nicklas Bendtner saw a low effort kept out at Krul's near post.
It sure was an action-packed start to the game, as Arsenal got their chance in the first minute: the hosts forged forward and Haris Vuckic slammed into the side-netting from the angle just inside the area.
It was all happening at St James' Park - moments after Emmanuel Eboue's low shot was easily saved by Tim Krul, Theo Walcott got in behind the Newcastle defence only for his cross to fall behind Carlos Vela and the hosts were able
to clear.
There was some treatment for Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs at St James' Park after an awkward fall under a challenge by Wayne Routledge.
The action, though, continued, there was a glorious chance for Newcastle but once again one that was wasted. Nile Ranger was set through on goal by Danny Guthrie and he beat the onrushing Arsenal keeper, only to dally too long
on his finish and allowed Laurent Koscielny to get back and clear. Moments later, an Alan Smith pile-driver from range crashed off the bar.
Newcastle had the ball in the net as Peter Lovenkrands swept in from the edge of the area – however, the Dane was offside and it was rightly, and swiftly, ruled out.
Chances continued to come for both sides at St James' Park – it was time for Emmanuel Eboue who moved past Ryan Taylor as if the Newcastle defender was not even there, pulled his near-post finish into the side-netting with just
the keeper to beat. But somehow, he managed to slice the shot and it went wide.
But just as the referee was about to blow his whistle, Arsenal finally got the goal the first half had been promising since the start. Nicklas Bendtner's header caused panic in the Newcastle box; the ball finally trickled over
the line when Ryan Taylor's goal-line clearance came off the back of keeper Tim Krul's head.
It was a cruel way to go behind for the home side, but nonetheless they would take heart from the way they gave Arsenal a run for their money. The second half for sure would be intriguing.
Tags: