Eddie Howe paid tribute to his Newcastle side after they secured a third successive away win in the space of eight days and established a commanding 2-0 lead in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
Alexander Isak’s 10th goal in his last nine games and a second from Anthony Gordon inflicted Arsenal’s first home defeat since April as Mikel Arteta’s side racked up 23 shots without finding a way past Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka. Howe insisted he was in the dark over rumours that the Slovakian goalkeeper could be leaving for Saudi Arabia this month after he appeared to wave goodbye to supporters at the final whistle.
