St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 52,354)
Newcastle v Arsenal: Key Moments
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Newcastle United 0
Arsenal 1 (Koscielny 52)
SECOND HALF UPDATES
90+4mins: Despite a battling performance - and no little quality - from Newcastle, Arsenal have made the top four courtesy of Laurent Koscielny's 52nd minute goal. The Gunners had to fight all the way but the Gunners just did enough and their fans celebrate pipping city rivals Tottenham.
90+3mins: Harper tips cross-cum-shot from Giroud around the post for a corner, which the visitors will take as long as possible in taking.
90+1mins: Walcott thinks he's wrapped it up for the Gunners as he dribbles past a couple of challenges and pokes the ball beyond Harper but his shot hits the inside of the post and Harper falls on top of the loose ball before another red shirt can get there.
90mins: There will be four minutes of stoppage time and, with Tottenham having just taken the lead against Sunderland, this is huge for Arsenal in their bid for the top four.
89mins: Jack Wilshere is on for Cazorla in Arsenal's final change of the day.
87mins: Anita's nice ball to Debuchy is controlled by the overlapping full-back, who then goes down in the box under pressure from Cazorla but Webb ignores the home crowd's cries for a penalty. It would have been a big call to make with Arsenal so close to the Champions League.
83mins: Walcott's right-wing corner is overhit but Cazorla sprints to keep it in play, checks inside and sends a fizzer inches wide with Harper rooted to the spot.
81mins: Young Adam Campbell is on - a nice moment for him - as he replaces Yanga-Mbiwa and that means Gutierrez reverting to left-back and a slightly more attacking formation for United. Gibbs is then booked for Arsenal for a foul near the corner flag.
78mins: Olivier Giroud is on for Arsenal, in place of Podolski.
72mins: Marveaux picks up the ball, runs at the defence and then squares the ball to Ben Arfa, who lets the ball come all the way to his left foot before sending an arrowing strike wide.
69mins: Oxlade-Chamberlain fires over after a Podolski free-kick was bravely changed down by the black and white wall.
65mins: That was Gouffran's final action of the game - he makes way for Sylvain Marveaux. The former Bordeaux man's movement caused all kinds of problems for Arsenal but Marveaux was hugely impressive at the Emirates in December and will get the chance to make an impression again here.
64mins: Anita plays a lovely ball out to Mathieu Debuchy on the right and his low cross finds Gouffran, who is denied by a vital challenge from Per Mertesacker.
60mins: After a quiet start to the second half, Ben Arfa has burst into life with two sensational runs and the Arsenal defence look scared of him every time he gets the ball. Newcastle have recovered well from going behind but have yet to fashion a clear-cut opportunity in this second period.
57mins: Alan Pardew replaces Cabaye with Vurnon Anita. Cabaye receives a warm reception from the home crowd and gets a handshake from his manager.
52mins - ARSENAL GOAL (0-1): The Gunners take the lead after Cabaye dives in on Bacary Sagna to concede a free-kick on the right-hand side and, after Walcott's delivery is flicked on, Koscielny acrobatically smashes the ball past the helpless Harper from close range. It's a massive goal for the Gunners' Champions League hopes but cruel on Newcastle, who have played so well. There's no reason, though, why the Magpies can't get back into this game despite that setback.
46mins: Arsenal get the second half underway and there are no changes for either side - but there is one in the referee's choice of kit colour as he opts for a green shirt for the second 45 minutes. With Tiote lying injured, Arsenal attack and Walcott streaks in on goal but is denied by a fantastic stop from Harper, who claws the ball away and is relieved to see Steven Taylor get to the loose ball first. Today's attendance is 52,354.
FIRST HALF UPDATES
45+2mins: After a hugely entertaining first half in which Newcastle have more than held their own, the teams head down the tunnel with the score still 0-0. The Magpies look determined to end the campaign on a high and the fans rightly applaud them off. Click here for the half-time report.
45mins: As Newcastle defend a free-kick harshly awarded against Cheick Tiote, the board goes up to show that there will be two minutes of stoppage time.
40mins: More thrilling play from Ben Arfa sees him cut in and unleash a shot narrowly over - on this form, he could be Newcastle's matchwinner this afternoon.
39mins: Harper shows his class with a fine save to deny Lukas Podolski, who was racing in on goal, but the flag was already up against the German international.
37mins: Cabaye sends a 25-yard effort towards goal after some lovely skills from Ben Arfa but it's comfortably saved by Arsenal's Polish goalkeeper. Then the attention turns towards the man at the other end - Steve Harper, wearing the number 37, receives a minute's applause which threatens to take the roof off St. James' Park and is clearly appreciated by the veteran goalkeeper.
31mins: Left-back Gibbs jinks into the box and cuts the ball back perfectly for Cazorla, but the Spaniard curls his 20-yard shot well over the bar and Harper has yet to make a save.
28mins: Mikel Arteta had been an injury doubt before this match and comes off inside the opening half an hour, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain taking his place. Arsenal would not have wanted to lose their captain in such a big game but the young England winger carries a threat of his own and is well known to Alan Pardew from their Southampton days.
25mins: Ben Arfa takes too long on the ball and is robbed by Kieran Gibbs, and as the Frenchman tries to atone he concedes only in conceding a free-kick. Walcott's delivery from the left is dangerous but leads only to a goal kick as Coloccini defends well.
22mins: The first booking of the game is a warranted one for Gutierrez, who slipped as he tried to retrieve a Yohan Cabaye corner and saw Theo Walcott galloping away with plenty of space ahead of him. The Argentine took one for the team and gave the Arsenal man a little tug to concede a free-kick deep in the Gunners half rather than allow a break to develop.
17mins: Hatem Ben Arfa glides past Cazorla and then leaves Ramsey trailing with a strong run which gets the fans on their feet, and although he eventually has to check back, Jonas Gutierrez takes over the mantle and advances towards goal before hitting a 25 yard strike which takes a deflection to make it easy for Wojciech Szczesny to gather.
13mins: It's end-to-end stuff as Yoan Gouffran beats the offside trap and drives in a lovely low cross which Cisse is just beaten to by Koscielny, only for referee Howard Webb to award a free-kick against the Newcastle fan for a supposed shove. Then as United win the ball back from the free-kick, Coloccini plays a lovely pass to Gouffran, who beats two men with a direct run before dragging his shot across goal.
12mins: After Aaron Ramsey wins a corner, Carzorla floats one in from the left and Laurent Koscielny gets a glancing header to the ball but diverts it wide of the far post.
7mins: A superb run down the left from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa results in the Frenchman pulling the ball back for Papiss Cisse, who strikes the ball first time from ten yards out and sees it go narrowly off target.
6mins: Santi Carzorla's free-kick is headed away by Fabricio Coloccini, as far as Theo Walcott who controls on his chest and fires in a shot but it goes over the bar without Harper looking unduly concerned.
1min: The sun is shining down on St. James' Park as Newcastle get the game underway, kicking towards the Gallowgate end in this first half. Steve Harper gets a great ovation from the fans behind the Leazes goal on what looks set to be his final appearance for the Club. Both teams are in their home kits.
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Steve Harper (c); Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Adam Campbell 81); Yohan Cabaye (Vurnon Anita 57), Cheick Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez; Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse, Yoan Gouffran (Sylvain Marveaux 65)
Subs not used: Jak Alnwick, Danny Simpson, James Perch, Gabriel Obertan
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Wojciech Szczesny; Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs; Mikel Arteta (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 28), Aaron Ramsey; Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla (Jack Wilshere 89) Theo Walcott; Lukas Podolski (Olivier Giroud 78)
Subs not used: Lukasz Fabianski, Nacho Monreal, Thomas Vermaelen, Gervinho
Referee: Howard Webb
Cross by Olivier Giroud(Arsenal), save (tipped over) by Steve Harper(Newcastle). Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal).
Defending throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Jack Wilshere(Arsenal) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), hit post. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) on Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by Steve Harper(Newcastle). Arsenal substitution: Santi Cazorla replaced by Jack Wilshere (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Theo Walcott(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) to far post, shot by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal) on Steven Taylor(Newcastle). Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal) booked for dissent. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).Newcastle substitution: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa replaced by Adam Campbell (tactical).
Defending throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) to short, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Arsenal substitution: Lukas Podolski replaced by Olivier Giroud (tactical).
Cross by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle), clearance by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal).
Defending throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Cross by Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal), resulting in open play. Theo Walcott(Arsenal) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) curled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Foul by Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play. Handball by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain(Arsenal) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle) on Santi Cazorla(Arsenal). Free kick taken left-footed by Lukas Podolski(Arsenal) from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle).
Foul by Lukas Podolski(Arsenal) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle), foul by Yoan Gouffran(Newcastle) on Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal). Newcastle substitution: Yoan Gouffran replaced by Sylvain Marveaux (tactical). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle), clearance by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Defending throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal).
Defending throw-in by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle).Newcastle substitution: Yohan Cabaye replaced by Vurnon Anita (injury).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Bacary Sagna(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) from right wing, goal by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal) right-footed (high centre of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal. Assist (header) by Lukas Podolski(Arsenal) from left side of penalty area.
Cross by Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Shot by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), brilliant save (parried) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal). Free kick crossed right-footed by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) from right channel, clearance by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Cross by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain(Arsenal), clearance by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Cross by Theo Walcott(Arsenal), inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) to centre, save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Tomas Rosicky(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tomas Rosicky(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Tomas Rosicky(Arsenal) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play. Lukas Podolski(Arsenal) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play. Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal). Defending throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Tomas Rosicky(Arsenal) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Foul by Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (30 yards), save (caught) by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Lukas Podolski(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Foul by Lukas Podolski(Arsenal) on Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Shot by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) curled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Per Mertesacker(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).Arsenal substitution: Mikel Arteta replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (injury).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Lukas Podolski(Arsenal).
Cross by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle), clearance by Per Mertesacker(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Foul by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) on Lukas Podolski(Arsenal). Free kick crossed right-footed by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) from left wing, clearance by Per Mertesacker(Arsenal). Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal).
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Theo Walcott(Arsenal). Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Per Mertesacker(Arsenal).
Attacking throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Cross by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle), clearance by Per Mertesacker(Arsenal). Defending throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Foul by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, clearance by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal). Foul by Steven Taylor(Newcastle) on Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Per Mertesacker(Arsenal).
Cross by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Yoan Gouffran(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal).
Cross by Yoan Gouffran(Newcastle), foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Per Mertesacker(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) to near post, header by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Foul by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle) on Theo Walcott(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta(Arsenal) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Cross by Bacary Sagna(Arsenal), resulting in ball out of play. Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Cross by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle), clearance by Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal).
Cross by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle), shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Wojciech Szczesny(Arsenal).
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Shot by Theo Walcott(Arsenal) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), over the bar.
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Tomas Rosicky(Arsenal). Free kick crossed right-footed by Santi Cazorla(Arsenal) from left wing, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Kieran Gibbs(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Santi Cazorla(Arsenal). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta(Arsenal) from left channel, resulting in open play.