Carroll (left) profited from a mistake by Fabianski to score Newcastle's winner
By Ian Hughes
Andy Carroll's first-half header gave Newcastle their first league win at Arsenal since December 2001.
Keeper Lucasz Fabianski failed to deal with Joey Barton's free-kick, allowing Carroll to nod into an empty net.
Earlier, Cesc Fabregas hit the Magpies crossbar with a deflected free-kick and Tim Krul saved a shot from Samir Nasri.
Theo Walcott crashed a shot against the Newcastle bar before Laurent Koscielny was sent off late on as Arsenal's title ambitions suffered another setback.
But the north Londoners did have the consolation of Premier League leaders Chelsea losing 2-0 at Liverpool, meaning that they remain five points off the pace in third place.
Hughton hails 'fantastic' win
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's side struggled to create chances against a well drilled and disciplined Newcastle side who delivered a result that moved them up to fifth in the table and should significantly ease the pressure on their manager Chris Hughton.
Speculation has been rife that Hughton's job has been on the line since the Magpies were thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal in Carling Cup 12 days previously.
But after masterminding this win, and the 5-1 thumping of Sunderland last week, the 51-year-old must surely now have earned himself some breathing space in the St James' Park hot-seat.
Tactically, he pulled off a surprise by using Shola Ameobi to bolster the midfield and intermittently support Carroll up front.
It meant Arsenal did not have much room to operate in the middle of the park and Wenger's side struggled to break down their opponents, with captain Fabregas in particular unusually subdued and inaccurate with his passing.
The visitors took advantage of their opponents' early sloppiness to enjoy some decent possession - although they did not carry much of an attacking threat.
But steadily Arsenal began to find some fluidity and cause the Newcastle defence problems.
The north Londoners came close to taking the lead when a 25-yard free-kick from Fabregas took a deflection off the wall and cannoned back off the bar.
The Arsenal skipper was involved again when he collected a superb pass from Alex Song but was just crowded out before he could get a clean shot away.
As Fabregas' influence grew, so did his team's dominance. The 23-year-old Spaniard fired a shot into the side netting and shortly after delivered a precise pull-back for Nasri whose well-struck shot forced a fine save from Magpies keeper Krul.
But just before half-time it was the visitors who broke the deadlock, with their first effort of the match.
Barton's free-kick from deep should have been collected by Fabianski but the keeper was beaten to the ball by Carroll, whose header bounced into the unattended goal.
After the break, the Gunners signalled their intent to get back on terms quickly as they increased the tempo of their play.
Advertisement
Defeat was harsh - Wenger
It almost paid dividends when Wilshere poked the ball through to Walcott and his fierce drive beat Krul only for the crossbar to deny the home side for the second time in the game.
Moments later Marouane Chamakh was close to getting the final touch to Song's low cross as Newcastle's defence just about stood firm.
It was certainly a better rearguard performance from Hughton's visitors than on their previous three visits to Arsenal that had all ended in 3-0 defeats.
In an effort to break Newcastle's resistance, Wenger brought on Russian Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie - the Dutchman making his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury in August.
Arshavin looked lively and the likeliest to find a way through. He almost played in Walcott and later crossed for Fabregas, who headed straight at Krul.
Despite Arsenal pushing forward and having all the possession, chances were at a premium - with Nicklas Bendtner's introduction having little effect.
And a frustrating afternoon for the hosts ended on a very sour note when Koscielny was shown a straight red card for holding back Nile Ranger.
90:00+4:28 The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00+2:11 Nile Ranger fouled by Laurent Koscielny, the ref awards a free kick. Joey Barton takes the direct free kick.
90:00+2:11 Booking Bacary Sagna is shown a yellow card.
90:00+1:55 Sent off Laurent Koscielny sent off.
86:26 Shot from deep inside the area by Nile Ranger clears the crossbar.
84:14 Nicklas Bendtner concedes a free kick for a foul on Cheik Tiote. Free kick taken by Mike Williamson.
83:23 Effort on goal by Andrey Arshavin from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.
82:45 Andrew Carroll concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Song. Sebastien Squillaci restarts play with the free kick.
81:25 Andrew Carroll fouled by Bacary Sagna, the ref awards a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Joey Barton,
save by Tim Krul.
81:25 Substitution Nile Ranger joins the action as a substitute, replacing Shola Ameobi.
80:55 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Tim Krul makes a save.
80:31 Inswinging corner taken by Andrey Arshavin from the left by-line played to the near post.
78:20 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Kevin Nolan gets a block in.
77:12 Corner taken by Robin van Persie played to the near post, clearance by Cheik Tiote.
76:23 Free kick awarded for a foul by Laurent Koscielny on Andrew Carroll. Joey Barton takes the indirect free kick.
74:34 The assistant referee signals for offside against Nicklas Bendtner. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.
73:18 Francesc Fabregas takes the inswinging corner, save by Tim Krul.
73:06 Short corner taken by Francesc Fabregas.
Correction - 71:58 The referee blows for offside against Theo Walcott. Tim Krul takes the free kick.
71:58 Substitution Nicklas Bendtner on for Jack Wilshere.
71:58 Theo Walcott is ruled offside. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.
70:22 Andrew Carroll produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses left.
68:03 Foul by Francesc Fabregas on Cheik Tiote, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Tim Krul.
68:03 Booking Caution for Francesc Fabregas.
Correction - 66:59 Shot by Andrew Carroll. Blocked by Laurent Koscielny. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton from the left by-line,
Mike Williamson produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
66:59 Shot by Andrew Carroll. Laurent Koscielny gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton from the left
by-line, Close range headed effort by Mike Williamson goes wide of the left-hand post.
66:17 Corner taken by Joey Barton played to the near post, Alex Song makes a clearance.
64:50 Joey Barton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere. Lukasz Fabianski takes the direct free kick.
63:47 The referee gives a free kick against Andrew Carroll for handball. Direct free kick taken by Bacary Sagna.
Correction - 62:39 Kevin Nolan is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Laurent Koscielny.
62:39 Kevin Nolan is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Lukasz Fabianski takes the free kick.
61:02 Free kick awarded for a foul by Joey Barton on Andrey Arshavin. Andrey Arshavin takes the free kick.
56:49 Substitution Marouane Chamakh leaves the field to be replaced by Robin van Persie.
55:04 Substitution (Arsenal) makes a substitution, with Andrey Arshavin coming on for Samir Nasri.
53:27 Joey Barton has a shot on goal from long range that goes wide left.
52:57 Marouane Chamakh gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mike Williamson. Tim Krul takes the direct free kick.
51:36 Unfair challenge on Cheik Tiote by Francesc Fabregas results in a free kick. Joey Barton restarts play with the free kick.
49:03 Foul by Alex Song on Shola Ameobi, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Joey Barton, save made by Lukasz Fabianski.
48:26 Unfair challenge on Francesc Fabregas by Shola Ameobi results in a free kick. Francesc Fabregas restarts play with the free
kick.
47:52 Theo Walcott takes a shot.
46:34 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Jack Wilshere, clearance by Kevin Nolan.
46:04 Kevin Nolan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Francesc Fabregas. Free kick crossed right-footed by Francesc
Fabregas from right channel, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.
45:11 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Samir Nasri by Danny Simpson. Jack Wilshere restarts play with the free kick.
45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:22 The match has reached half-time.
44:36 The assist for the goal came from Joey Barton.
44:36 GOAL - Andrew Carroll:Arsenal 0 - 1 Newcastle Andrew Carroll grabs a headed goal from close in. Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle.
44:00 Bacary Sagna gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonas Gutierrez. Direct free kick taken by Joey Barton.
42:09 Alex Song concedes a free kick for a foul on Kevin Nolan. Fabricio Coloccini takes the direct free kick.
39:55 Corner taken by Samir Nasri from the right by-line played to the near post, Andrew Carroll manages to make a clearance.
38:55 The ball is swung over by Francesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri takes a shot. Save made by Tim Krul. Corner taken right-footed by
Francesc Fabregas from the right by-line to the near post, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.
38:26 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Sanchez Jose Enrique gets a block in. Francesc Fabregas takes the outswinging corner, clearance
made by Cheik Tiote.
36:02 Marouane Chamakh is caught offside. Fabricio Coloccini restarts play with the free kick.
33:36 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sebastien Squillaci on Cheik Tiote. Direct free kick taken by Fabricio Coloccini.
31:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere by Cheik Tiote. Free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
31:52 Booking Caution for Cheik Tiote.
30:18 Kevin Nolan is caught offside. Free kick taken by Lukasz Fabianski.
29:27 Unfair challenge on Joey Barton by Jack Wilshere results in a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Joey Barton.
27:50 Bacary Sagna gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sanchez Jose Enrique. Free kick crossed right-footed by Joey
Barton, Lukasz Fabianski makes a save.
24:25 Shot from 30 yards by Francesc Fabregas. Blocked by Fabricio Coloccini.
22:11 Free kick awarded for a foul by Gael Clichy on Jonas Gutierrez. Joey Barton takes the free kick.
22:11 Booking Gael Clichy receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
19:07 Corner taken right-footed by Samir Nasri, save by Tim Krul.
Correction - 17:28 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Mike Williamson gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken by Samir Nasri, clearance by Danny
Simpson. Laurent Koscielny takes a shot. Blocked by Fabricio Coloccini. Corner taken by Samir Nasri played to the near post,
clearance by Shola Ameobi.
17:28 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Blocked by Mike Williamson. Corner taken right-footed by Samir Nasri, clearance made by Danny
Simpson. Laurent Koscielny takes a shot. Fabricio Coloccini gets a block in. Samir Nasri takes a outswinging corner from the
right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Shola Ameobi.
16:32 The assistant referee signals for offside against Theo Walcott. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick. Shola Ameobi gives
away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sebastien Squillaci. Lukasz Fabianski takes the direct free kick.
13:05 Joey Barton fouled by Theo Walcott, the ref awards a free kick. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.
12:26 Samir Nasri takes the inswinging corner, Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Blocked by Kevin Nolan.
Correction - 11:06 Unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere by Fabricio Coloccini results in a free kick. Strike comes in from Francesc Fabregas from
the free kick.
11:06 Foul by Fabricio Coloccini on Jack Wilshere, free kick awarded. Shot comes in from Francesc Fabregas from the free kick.
8:54 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marouane Chamakh by Cheik Tiote. Bacary Sagna restarts play with the free kick.
6:41 Cheik Tiote gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Bacary Sagna. Francesc Fabregas crosses the ball from the free
kick right-footed from right wing, clearance by Cheik Tiote.
1:30 Marouane Chamakh concedes a free kick for a foul on Cheik Tiote. Direct free kick taken by Fabricio Coloccini.
1:06 Foul by Andrew Carroll on Laurent Koscielny, free kick awarded. Lukasz Fabianski restarts play with the free kick.
0:00 The game begins.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~36~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~36~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Bookmark with:
What are these?