Newcastle United may only be at half-time in the Carabao Cup semi-finals - but that won't stop the 6,000 Geordies partying until the small hours in the capital.

After the whistle, a dramatic finale saw Martin Dubravka soak up the applause and appear to say goodbye to fans with a move to Al-Shabab in the offing. If this was goodbye he reserved his best until last after a superb showing.

Dubravka was emotional and patted the club crest before leaving the field. Like his team-mates he'd been magnificent. Many fans had wondered what type of deficit would be acceptable to take into the second leg next month. But here an Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall tactical masterclass turned the last four tie completely on its head!

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Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon mean the Gunners have a mountain to climb on Tyneside, and all Mikel Arteta's side have to look forward to is a date with a raucous St James' Park. Is the tie over?

Arteta left the field with his head bowed after the first leg. His team had been outfought, and he's been outthought by his opposing manager. In football, nothing is ever over, but perhaps a near-empty Emirates Stadium suggested that the Gunners have other priorities, while Newcastle knows an early goal at home in the second leg may just kill this tie completely.

By that time, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar will also be back from the sin bin. And they will want to stamp their authority on this tie too.

The Magpies made a bright enough start and even carved an opening on four minutes but after Alexander Isak cut the ball across to Joelinton he hammered it into the stand. You can only wonder what might have been had the roles been reversed?

It was a lively opening indeed from Newcastle, who threw no caution to the wind despite the two-legged nature of the tie. On seven minutes Tino Livramento crossed from the right but Anthony Gordon's header was gathered by David Raya.

There was defending to do as well though for Newcastle and on 10 minutes, after something of a scramble following a Martin Odergaard free-lick, Blyth lad Dan Burn got in a timely block to deny William Saliba. Moments later, Julian Timber headed over from close range after a corner but it remained level as the game drifted towards the 15-minute mark.

Newcastle fans roared with approval after Isak got free down the right and crossed into the middle with Lewis Hall then Sandro Tonali producing goal attempts with 16 minutes played. Arsenal had looked rattled with Myles Lewis-Skelly's clearance falling straight to the feet of the Italy star.

The black and whites cleared their lines efficiently enough in the opening quarter to keep the scores level. Isak was clicking with Jacob Murphy down the right and he released the winger on 25 minutes to cause Arsenal more problems but a corner would eventually be cleared and after Isak had been tugged by Leandro Trossard ref John Brooks had no interest in giving a spot-kick.

But Newcastle got very lucky on 29 minutes after Sven Botman was done for pace by Gabriel Martinelli sped past him through the centre. The Dutchman was able to breathe a sigh of relief after the Arsenal star's effort slammed against the post!

The Magpies then had Botman to thank after Timber's shot following a Declan Rice corner as the centre-back made a fine block. He had an even bigger part to play on 37 minutes when Newcastle had the audacity to snatch the lead.

Dubravka's long boot upfield was flicked on by Botman, and the ball fell to Murphy. The winger then rolled it into the path of Isak who wrapped his foot around it and struck it off the bar from seven yards.

Cue pandemonium in the away end as 6,000 Geordie fans went ballistic as their side took a rare lead at the tough venue.

Inevitably, Arsenal came roaring back quickly and Joelinton made a rash challenge on the edge of the box to concede a free-kick and pick up a yellow card for a foul on Thomas Partey. But the free-kick from Odegaard cannoned off the wall and the Magpies went in with a half-time lead on the night.

As pundits questioned what Newcastle would do with their 1-0 lead, they would answer quickly and emphatically. Just six minutes into the second half the home side were left shell-shocked.

More great work down the right saw Murphy slip the ball to Isak in the box with Isak hammering a shot at Raya. The Arsenal stopper palmed it to his right but Gordon was alive and alert to tuck the ball home.

At that stage there was a moment of disbelief in the away end before the goal was awarded and Gordon wheeled away to celebrate. It felt like a dream but it was happening, never mind keeping the score down, Newcastle were 2-0 up and cruising.

A reality check was almost served just two minutes before the hour as Kai Havertz was presented with a close range chance but it somehow went wide as he connected with his shoulder. In a bid to wake his team up Mikel Arteta sent on Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho with Partey and Trossard coming off.

Howe freshened things up too with Harvey Barnes, Sean Longstaff and Lloyd Kelly all coming on. Isak, Willock and Murphy went off after excellent shifts. Miguel Almiron came on for the final stages as he replaced Gordon and Howe started to eat away the seconds.

Newcastle had to defend like warriors in the final stages but even as five minutes of stoppage time ebbed away, they looked in control of their own destiny.

A place in the Carabao Cup final is now Newcastle's to lose. North London was black and white tonight.

Referee: John Brooks (Melton Mowbray)

Attendance: 59,125