TOUGH HOME LEG TO COME, SAYS HOWE

Magpies have 2-0 edge in League Cup semi, but manager wary of comeback by Arsenal

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe urged caution despite a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Jan 7, putting his in-form side within touching distance of a place in the League Cup final.

Goals by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon either side of half-time gave the Magpies a seventh successive win in all competitions, and put them in the driving seat for the second leg of the semi-final at St James' Park in February.

On all eight occasions since 1987-88 that an away team held a two-goal lead from the first leg, they went on to reach the final and Arsenal have a mountain to climb if they are to keep alive their hopes of a third League Cup triumph.

Howe also took Newcastle to the final in 2023 but they fell short of a first major domestic trophy since 1955, as they were beaten by Manchester United at Wembley.

The delirious Toon Army celebrated at the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium, but the Magpies boss insisted that there was still plenty of work left to set up a final against Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.