Third-place Newcastle United falls to first-place Arsenal, 2-0
By Cade Cracas
Newcastle United has met their maker once again after finding success in prior weeks. Leading up to the team’s contest against Arsenal, the Magpies were riding high on a three-game winning streak.
Against Arsenal, however, things did not go their way as they ended up falling 2-0 when all was said and done.
Heading into a contest between two of the top teams in the Premier League, Arsenal was hoping to keep themselves atop the table as the season dwindles to a close. While the Gunners do sit in first place, Manchester City has been right on their tail all season long, and a win against third-place Newcastle United would be just what they need to keep themselves confident.
Fortunately for them, that confidence would remain right where they needed it.
To begin the win, Arsenal was able to find the opening goal in the 14th minute from young star Martin Odegaard.
Newcastle originally dominated the game early on, but Odegaard’s perfect shot gave the visitors the lead, shutting down the early momentum the Magpies attempted to establish.
The early onslaught, led by winger Jacob Murphy and forward Alexander Isak, came up just short on multiple occasions as Arsenal’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was forced to make a number of saves to keep the team off the board.
Heading into halftime, Newcastle was unable to bring themselves back into the game, with inconsistencies being shown from the pressure the Gunners mounted.
The second half, just like the first, had all the momentum in favor of Newcastle United’s squad. Murphy had a screaming shot toward the back net, but Ramsdale was able to settle the ball down easily.
“If Jacob’s chance goes in early on it is a totally different game,” said Manager Eddie Howe.
But, just like in the first half, Arsenal took the game right back.
Arsenal’s Martinelli was able to curl a shot right towards the Newcastle net, but the ball deflected right off defender Fabian Schar as it went into the back of the net with an own goal.
Newcastle, who still sit in third place with 65 total points, now sit an overall record of 18-11-5. That loss to Arsenal was just their fifth in the Premier League now on the season, with the only other losses coming to Liverpool twice, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
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They now look to bounce back against Leeds United on Saturday, May 13, with kickoff set for 7:30 GMT