We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ANTHONY GORDON’S CONTROVERSIAL second-half winner clinched Newcastle a 1-0 win against Arsenal, whose unbeaten Premier League start was halted at St James’ Park.
Gordon’s close-range finish was confirmed as a goal after a triple VAR check and was all that separated the two sides in an attritional encounter of few chances.
The Gunners slipped to their first defeat in 11 league games this season, while victory for Newcastle was affirmation that they can continue to mix it with the big guns.
"How much does that goal mean to Anthony Gordon?" 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2023
A long VAR check but Newcastle lead! ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/kEZoPkMMtx
Arsenal remain third in the table, two points behind new leaders Manchester City, with Newcastle four points adrift in sixth.
After a scrappy opening 15 minutes, Arsenal began to build momentum, but after forcing a series of corners had only Jorginho’s skied volley and William Saliba’s wayward header to show for their efforts.
Newcastle had barely threatened before Callum Wilson blazed Dan Burns’ knockdown over the crossbar from in front of goal in the 29th minute.
An intense physical first half was low on quality and littered with full-blooded challenges, one of which raised the home fans to fever pitch as Kai Havertz’s late lunge sent Sean Longstaff sprawling.
That sparked a players’ melee that took referee Stuart Atwell some time to control, with Havertz, Longstaff and Anthony Gordon eventually shown yellow cards.
Furious Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall made clear to the Arsenal bench what he thought of Havertz’s mis-timed challenge.
A third Newcastle player, Fabian Schar, was booked soon after to the wrath of Magpies fans.
Arsenal threatened to on the stroke of half-time, but Gabriel Martinelli’s fierce drive was comfortably held by Nick Pope.
Gordon lifted the home fans soon after the restart as he ran across the edge of Arsenal’s box looking to make space for a shot, but he was crowded out.
Declan Rice became more influential for the Gunners and he headed wide before Newcastle broke the deadlock in the 64th minute.
Both substitutes had hand in the goal soon after entering the action as Jacob Murphy’s shot span wide and was kept in play by Joe Willock, whose cross was headed down by Joelinton for Gordon to turn home.
There then followed a lengthy delay before the goal was confirmed as VAR checked whether the ball had gone out of play before Willock’s cross, whether Joelinton had fouled Arsenal defender Gabriel and if Gordon had been offside.
Newcastle were dealt an injury blow when Murphy popped the same shoulder which had kept him of recent games and was replaced by Matt Ritchie.
The Gunners probed for an equaliser, but their front line continued to mis-fire, creating no further chances on a disappointing afternoon for the north Londoners.
Written by Press Association and posted on the42.ie
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Took a few minutes for the Saudis cash to get through to the var room it seems
Liverpool & Arsenal both being screwed by Premier League. Both American owned. Corruption has a little tolerance in the American legal system and is severely punished.
Man City owned by UAE are currently under investigation for 150+ financial irregularities. Would not be answerable to their own legal system and would become a diplomatic issue if prosecuted in England.
Newcastle same as Man City.
Farcical.
@Michael Fielding: well like Arteta said about Diaz’s goal being disallowed…human error happens…so stop crying Arteta, shit happens ;-)
Close the comments, have some respect
@David craddock: For whom,The Gooners?
Have to laugh at Arsenal complaining about VAR. Try scoring two perfect valid goals away to spurs and only be awarded one and then have to watch spurs celebrate like they won nine champions league finals in one game in the 97th minute against nine men, both sending offs being a total disgrace. And arteta feels hard done by. Premier leage need to go down road of American football. If the games need to be two hours long with every last thing analysed so be it. They big games is where the trophy will be decided now because the shit games like man united and Fulham don’t matter anymore.
@Dan The Man: none of this has mattered for 25 years or more. The beautiful game has long since been corrupted, the buzzards have picked its dead bones clean, from infantino down, its rotten. Look at our own fai in that period ffs. Let alone what’s happening in the premiership. And ye all still cling to it. For the right reasons, yes I know. But it’s run by mammon, for mammon. Everything else feeds that. Watch the circus that will be the lead up to and then the 2034 WC. Having paid for the premiership they’ve now bought the WC, those buzzards. Them’s the facts at this stage I’m afraid. Stop living in a dream lads, ye are all being had.
@Dan The Man: Oh stop crying. Yeah Liverpool got screwed but so did spurs the year before by Liverpool . Just get over it.
@john king: can’t wait for you to be screwed in Anfield. I hope Salah punches the winning goal in. It will be hilarious!
@Dan The Man: You laugh at other teams misfortune but cry at your own …… Waaaa.
@john king: As an Arsenal fan, I’d take no pleasure in seeing this against Spurs or any other team. This stuff shouldn’t be happening to anyone.
The state of refereeing is ruining the game. There have always been contentious decisions, but now it’s beyond a joke.
@Kenneth Finn: Your reference to the premiership is obsolete, unless you mean the rugby competition. The current title for football in England is the Premier League.
@Dan The Man: a few games later, var helped liverpool. Stop complaining like whinger klopp.
@john king: poor John let him have his little moment. It will make him feel better.
Great for the villa tomorrow when we beat forest
@John Kenny: this aged well. Pmsl.
I love var, the tantrums it creates are more entertaining than the football itself.
Newcastle. Dregs with wads.
Oh dear oh dear , some times you have to loose with respect & some managers ( arteta) cannot get to grips, some you win some you loose . HWTL …..TOON ARMY !
@kevin simm: HWTL…LOL. Howay the lads is it? Where are you from Kevin? SCARLET FOR YA!
have your say