In a surprising upset, Newcastle United stunned Arsenal with a 2-0 away win in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals on Tuesday. Despite being dominated in terms of shots and possession, the Magpies were efficient in attack and defended well after taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half. With their impressive win, Newcastle now have a strong advantage heading into the second leg next month and remain on a hot streak with seven consecutive victories.
Newcastle stuns Arsenal in EFL Cup semifinal first leg
Newcastle United pulled off a stunning upset on Tuesday, defeating Arsenal 2-0 away in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals.
The Magpies, who are fifth in the Premier League, took a shock lead early in the second half through Joelinton. Miguel Almiron doubled the advantage just minutes later to give Newcastle a deserved cushion heading into the second leg at St James' Park next month.
Arsenal, who have won the EFL Cup a record 14 times, were heavy favorites coming into the match but were unable to break down a resolute Newcastle defense.
The victory extends Newcastle's winning streak to seven matches in all competitions. They have not lost since a 2-1 defeat to Southampton on November 26.
FAQs
1. When is the second leg of the EFL Cup semifinal?
The second leg of the EFL Cup semifinal will be played on Tuesday, February 28 at St James' Park.
2. Who will Newcastle play in the final if they progress?
If Newcastle wins the second leg, they will face either Manchester United or Nottingham Forest in the final. Manchester United won the first leg of their semifinal matchup against Forest 3-0.
3. When is the EFL Cup final?
The EFL Cup final will be played on Sunday, March 26 at Wembley Stadium.
4. How many times have Newcastle won the EFL Cup?
Newcastle have won the EFL Cup once, in 1969.
5. Who is Newcastle's manager?
Newcastle's manager is Eddie Howe.
In a nail-biting Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline, thanks to Noah Sadaoui's late winner in the fifth minute of added time. The match was full of drama and action, with Odisha FC taking an early lead through Jerry Mawihmingthanga, but Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez's goals brought the Blasters back in the game. Despite Odisha's valiant efforts, Sadaoui's goal in the dying moments sealed the win for Kerala, who remain unbeaten in all matches where the young striker has scored.
Cricket South Africa has announced the 15-member squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with Temba Bavuma as captain. The squad includes experienced players like Kagiso Rabada and David Miller, along with newcomers Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder. South Africa will face tough opponents in Group B, including Australia and England, as they aim to win their second Champions Trophy title.
After suffering a shocking defeat in the EFL Cup last week, Arsenal faced another disappointing cup result on Sunday when they were eliminated by Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. Despite having a man advantage for half of the match, the Gunners failed to capitalize on their numerous opportunities, with their lack of a true striker once again highlighting a major issue for the team. As they face a crucial North London Derby on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta will need to find a solution to their attacking woes to avoid a crisis.
In a recent by-election held at the BCCI's Special General Meeting, Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were elected as the new secretary and treasurer, respectively. BCCI president Roger Binny praised their appointments and expressed confidence in their administrative and financial skills. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also welcomed the new appointments, stating that they are the perfect choices for their new roles. The overwhelming support from state associations also shows a collective commitment to taking Indian cricket to greater heights.
In a thrilling Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters came away with a 3-2 win over Odisha FC, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Noah Sadaoui. The match was evenly matched, with both teams scoring two goals each, until Sadaoui's late winner in the fifth minute of added time. The Juggernauts are now four games without a win, while Sadaoui continues his impressive record of scoring in all seven games in which he has found the back of the net this season. Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez also scored for Blasters, while Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Dori scored for Odisha FC.
Real Madrid is determined to avenge their 4-0 defeat against Barcelona in the previous Clasico, as they face off in the Supercopa final. The Spanish giants have had a successful season so far, winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. However, Barcelona has had a tough time lately, only winning one of their last seven league fixtures. With the help of young talents such as Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal, both teams will battle it out for the Supercopa trophy. Football fans in Russia can catch the action for free on MatchTV.ru.
In an intense Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC gave a thrilling performance, with Noah Sadaoui scoring the winning goal in the fifth minute of added time. The Kochi-based team put up a tough fight, with goals from Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez, but Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Dori's goals were not enough for Odisha FC. This was Noah's seventh goal this season, as the team continued their unbeaten streak whenever he scored. Kerala Blasters' Kwame Peprah also made a crucial equaliser in the 60th minute, showcasing the team's determination to secure a win.
Manchester City's Nathan Ake reveals that losing captain Kyle Walker would have a major impact on the team's performance. City boss Pep Guardiola confirms that Walker has asked to leave the club, with transfer speculation linking him to both AC Milan and Inter Milan. This news comes after Saturday's 8-0 FA Cup third round victory over Salford City.
After a dominant performance by Karun Nair, Vidarbha secures a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair, who is often overlooked in international cricket, continues to shine in domestic cricket with an unbeaten 122 runs off 82 deliveries. This takes him to the top of the run-scorers' list in the VHT and his team to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Rajasthan.
Former tennis legend John McEnroe sparks controversy with his theory that Andy Murray's coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic is a ploy for Murray's own comeback. In an entertaining and candid interview with Eurosport, McEnroe drew dramatic reactions from his co-hosts and shed light on the unlikely partnership between the two tennis superstars. While McEnroe's theory is met with skepticism, it raises questions about the dynamics of the Murray-Djokovic relationship and adds an interesting twist to the highly-anticipated matches between the two players.