Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side ran out 2-0 winners in the first leg of their Carabao Cup showdown against Arsenal and will subsequently take a healthy advantage back to St James’ Park next month.
While Newcastle had to do a lot of defending, to suggest goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was truly tested all too often would perhaps be too much.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored the goals to take Newcastle to within inches of a return to Wembley, although pundit Ian Wright was not happy with one of them.
In fact, he suggested VAR – which was used in the competition for the first time this season – made a mistake for the opener.
Reflecting on Isak’s opener, Gunners legend Wright was unhappy the Sweden star was not pulled up for a collision with Martin Odegaard in the build-up.
Isak moved the Norwegian out of the way as Sven Botman flicked the ball on to Murphy, who then found Isak to finish.
“It reminds me of what happened to Gabriel Magalhaes [with Joelinton during Newcastle’s controversial win over the Gunners in November 2023],” he told ITV Sport.
“You have to have two hands on an Arsenal player and foul him to not get anything!”
Newcastle United have been involved in VAR drama a lot recently
This isn’t the first time Newcastle and VAR have been mentioned of late.
In fact, Wright was unhappy that Gordon’s goal against Tottenham last time out in the Premier League was allowed to stand because of an accidental handball from Joelinton in the build-up.
In terms of Isak and Odegaard, it seems a whole lot of nothing.
Perhaps a stricter referee would have blown up, but it would still have been a hugely disappointing decision.
For all of Arsenal’s possession, Newcastle were good value for their victory…
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