Anthony Gordon scored a controversial goal as Newcastle beat Arsenal 1-0 at the St. James’ Park on Saturday to hand the Gunners their first league defeat this season.
In a game that started cagey, and only coming lively towards the end of the first half, Gordon won it for Eddie Howe’s team in the 66th minute, however, in a controversial manner as the ball seemed to have gone out of play.
Like aforementioned, it was a cagey first half, but it came lively after four players were cautioned. Kai Havertz was shown a yellow card for a dangerous foul on Sean Lonstaff, but following their protests, Fabian Schär, Anthony Gordon and Longstaff himself were also booked.
The game got heated from then on, and Bruno Guimarães and Declan Rice almost exchanged blows just before the halftime whistle, but the two escaped bookings. Guimarães had also been lucky not be yellow carded moments before that altercation for his elbow on Havertz.
Gordon had a chance to hand Newcastle the lead at the half’s death, but couldn’t control Miguel Almiron’s cross inside the box, and as a result, the first half ended as it started.
The second half started in a lively manner! Newcastle had the best chance in the opening exchanges in this half. Arsenal defense was caught unaware and Almiron once again put Gordon through, but the former Everton winger put the golden opportunity to waste.
But Gordon finally got his goal and Newcastle were counting 1-0 in the 66th minute, however, it came in a controversial manner as the ball seemed to have gone out of play.
There was a VAR check for that possibility. VAR also checked the possibility of a foul on Gabriel and an offside, but in the end, Newcastle restarted their celebrations as the goal stood.
Arsenal have lost two games this season, but this is their first defeat in the league. Following Man City’s easy win against Bournemouth earlier on, the loss drops Arsenal done to third in the table standings.
