Newcastle United have taken charge of their English League Cup semifinal tie with Arsenal following a 2-0 win at The Emirates in the first leg on Tuesday.

Alexander Isak scored his 50th goal for the club and Anthony Gordon got the other as The Magpies out themselves into the driving seat with the return leg to come at St James’ Park on February 5.

Arsenal were left to rue their failure to convert several good chances with Gabriel Martinelli denied by the woodwork in the first half and Kai Havertz missing a golden opportunity.

“In every other aspect we were the better team but it’s about scoring goals,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “Credit to them, they defended their box very well. We had the chances but at this stage, a semi-final, you have to be clinical.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was ecstatic, but warned the tie is far from over.

“Today is another big step forward when you look at the recent run we’ve had away from home,” Howe said after his side’s seventh successive win in all competitions.

“We played with real confidence and belief but in terms of the tie it’s still very much alive and finely balanced and we have a really tough home leg to come.”