LONDON: Newcastle stepped within 90 minutes of their first domestic trophy since 1955 after crucial errors by Arsenal’s key man Martin Odegaard and David Raya undermined the Gunners’ attempt at a League Cup semi-final recovery.

The attacking brilliance of Alexander Isak for Newcastle helped inspire a second-leg victory by 2-0 and 4-0 overall after Odegaard missed a glaring early chance for Gunners and then a misjudged play-out by Raya gifted Newcastle their killing second goal.

Anthony Given followed up a first-half strike from Jacob Murphy to send the Magpies flying on to Wembley on March 16 against Tottenham or Liverpool. Spurs lead 1-0 heading into their second leg at Anfield.

Newcastle’s attacking effort and flair underlined where Arsenal are falling short up front in the absence of injured Bukayo Saka and why they had sought, in vain, to buy England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in last month’s transfer window.

Newcastle, whose last success was the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, made an irresistible start. Isak had a goal ruled out for offside and then hit the posts so Jacob Murphy could jab home the rebound in the 19th minute.

The goal came seconds after Odegaard had missed what turned out to be Arsenal’s best chance of turning this semi-final around, glancing the post with only keeper Martin Dubravka to beat.

Newcastle delivered the decisive blow after 52 minutes. Raya tried a shot pass out to Declan Rice who was dispossessed by Fabian Schar who freed Gordon to send Newcastle to Wembley.

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