Newcastle beat Arsenal 2-0 to close in on League Cup final

Alexander Isak scored his 50th goal for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe’s side took a huge step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Tuesday.

Isak struck shortly before halftime in the first leg of the semi-final at a chilly Emirates Stadium and then had a big role in Newcastle’s second scored by Anthony Gordon after the break.

READ ALSO:

• Neymar open to Messi reunion at Inter Miami, eyes 2026 World Cup
• ‘Run for your lives!’ Los Angeles residents abandon cars to flee wildfire on foot
• Prison officer sentenced for engaging in sexual activity with inmate

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-form Newcastle, who have not won a major trophy since 1955, will now be clear favourites to complete the job in the second leg on Tyneside next month.

Tottenham Hotspur host holders Liverpool in the first leg of the other semi-final of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Newcastle beat Arsenal 2-0 to close in on League Cup final

Neymar open to Messi reunion at Inter Miami, eyes 2026 World Cup

Brazilian forward Neymar said reuniting with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami is an interesting prospect and did not rule out a move to the United States as his Al-Hilal contract winds down.

Once one of football’s most feared forwards, Neymar struck up a lethal partnership with Messi and Suarez to lead Barcelona to a historic treble before his record-breaking 222 million euros ($230.39 million) move to Paris St Germain in 2017.

“Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible. They are my friends, we still speak to each other,” Neymar told CNN.

“It would be interesting to revive this trio. I’m happy at Al-Hilal, I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows. Football is full of surprises.”

Neymar has played only seven times for Al-Hilal since moving from PSG for a reported fee of 90 million euros in 2023, with injuries keeping the Brazilian sidelined for long periods. His contract is up in June.

READ ALSO:

• ‘Run for your lives!’ Los Angeles residents abandon cars to flee wildfire on foot
• Prison officer sentenced for engaging in sexual activity with inmate
• Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

He spent six seasons at PSG where he scored 118 goals but despite immense success on the domestic front, he failed to win the Champions League again with the French club before making the switch to the Saudi Pro League.

“When the news came out that I was leaving Paris St Germain, the transfer window was closed in the United States, so I didn’t have this option (of moving to Miami in 2023),” Neymar added.

“The project they offered me (in Saudi Arabia) was very good, not just for me but also for my family, so going to Saudi Arabia was the best option.”

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals and the 32-year-old said he would have one last shot at World Cup glory in 2026.

With six rounds left in the South American qualifiers where the top six automatically qualify, Brazil are fifth in the standings.

“I will try, I want to be there. I will do everything I can to be part of the national team,” said Neymar, who has not played since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during a qualifier in October 2023.

“I know this be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it.”

Neymar open to Messi reunion at Inter Miami, eyes 2026 World Cup

Breaking: NFF appoints Eric Chelle as Super Eagles coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has named Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the NFF confirmed the appointment of the 47-year-old Malian tactician.

“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles,” the statement reads.