Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Who was the host’s bright spark? Which Gunners star kept being caught out defensively? And who was off the pace?

A superb first half goal from Alexander Isak proved enough for Newcastle to earn an impressive 1-0 home win against Arsenal.

The Swedish international rose to head in a superb cross from Anthony Gordon in the 12th minute to put the hosts ahead at St James’ Park.

Arsenal attempted to muster a response against the hosts, but Mikel Arteta‘s side proved unable to find a leveller.

The defeat leaves Arsenal at risk of falling further adrift of reigning champions Man City and Liverpool in the Premier League title race, while victory provided a major boost to Newcastle’s season.

Mail Sport’s Issan Khan rates the players at St James’ Park. 

Isak rose to head in Anthony Gordon’s superb cross to put the hosts ahead in the first half

The result is a blow to Arsenal with Mikel Arteta’s side at risk of being distanced in the title race

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3)

NICK POPE: 6.5

Good presence in the box on aerial crosses. A clean-sheet to boot, too.

TINO LIVRAMENTO: 6.5

Was not deterred by Gabriel Martinelli’s runs forward and kept resolutely to his task.

FABIAN SCHAR: 6.5

Didn’t give the attackers anything to feed off. Made some solid clearances.

DAN BURN: 6.5

Did well against Kai Havertz in duels. Played in sync with Schar.

LEWIS HALL: 6.5

Coped well at the back under pressure from Arsenal’s quick men.

BRUNO GUIMARAES: 6.5

Part of a midfield which exploited a lack of creativity from the opposition.

Lewis Hall, right, impressed for Newcastle when facing Arsenal star Bukayo Saka

Sean Longstaff harried around in midfield and refused to give Arsenal players an inch

SEAN LONGSTAFF: 7.5

Harried around in the middle, didn’t give an inch. Caused lots of issues for the Arsenal midfield and strong in tackles.

JOE WILLOCK: 6.5

Created much pressure with direct runs and helped out defensively, too

ANTHONY GORDON: 8.5

A top-class assist for Alexander Isak’s goal. Newcastle’s bright spark going forward, showing much skill.

ALEXANDER ISAK: 8

Great header to score Newcastle’s goal. Lively in and around the box all game.

JOELINTON: 6.5

Gave Thomas Partey a headache on that right flank. His height was an added bonus in a wide position.

Manager – EDDIE HOWE – 6.5

Gordon received applause from Newcastle fans for his display when he was brought off late on

Isak took his goal brilliantly to help Newcastle end a run of five league games without a win

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

DAVID RAYA: 6

Made some decent saves and caught well. Isak’s header was unstoppable.

THOMAS PARTEY: 5.5

Newcastle’s right flank kept catching him out in defensive positions. Was not afforded the extra protection because of the midfield battle between the two teams. Better in second half when moved to midfield .

WILLIAM SALIBA: 6

A fair display, competing well in the duels against Joelinton and Isak.

GABRIEL: 6

Beaten in the air by Isak for the goal.

JURRIEN TIMBER: 6

Enjoyed much possession in the first half. Tried to make things happen in the opposition half.

Declan Rice missed a headed chance in injury time when he should have levelled for Arsenal

Mikel Merino appeared to get overrun in the midfield and Arsenal got better when he came off

DECLAN RICE: 6

Hung in there with a tough task of mopping up in front of the backline and trying to get play forward. Missed a headed chance in injury time which he should have scored.

MIKEL MERINO: 5.5

Static in the middle and seemed to get overrun. Team got better after his substitution.

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 5.5

Off the pace and the things he attempted kept failing to come off.

BUKAYO SAKA: 5.5

A very quiet first half. And in the second period he was often shut out.

KAI HAVERTZ: 6

His best attributes, like physicality and duels, were nullified by the lack of creativity around him.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6

Kept getting the ball and drove forward. End product wasn’t there, though.

Leandro Trossard appeared off the pace and what he attempted failed to come off

Saka was kept very quiet in the first half and was shut out by Newcastle during the second

Substitutes

ETHAN NWANERI: 6

Did not receive the ball much at all, but movement was fluid.

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO: 6

Couldn’t affect a game which was already becoming out of grasp.

BEN WHITE: 5.5

Gave the ball away couple times. With his injury, was likely used out of necessity.

GABRIEL JESUS: 5.5

No chances of note.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has now seen his side go three games without a Premier League win

Manager – MIKEL ARTETA: 5.5

That’s now three games without a win in the Premier League.

Referee – JOHN BROOKS: 6

Game nearly get out of hand at times but kept a lid on it.