Newcastle v Arsenal player ratings: Lascelles 9, Gordon 7; Saliba 8, Saka 5

Magpies earn narrow victory over Gunners at St James' Park

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  Nick Pope 7/10

  NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Busier of two keepers in first half although only one shot, hit straight at him by Martinelli, to save. Turned out to be only Arsenal effort on target. AFP

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  Kieran Trippier 7/10

  Making his 150th Premier League start and much improved after dreadful show at Wolves last week. Link-up with Almiron impressive again. Switched flanks in second half due to Burn injury and was equally good. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Fabian Schar 8/10

  One of three Newcastle players booked for complaining about Havertz’s first-half tackle on Longstaff. Outstanding from Swiss centre-back who is now one of Newcastle’s most reliable players. AF

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  Jamaal Lascelles 9/10

  Has been with the club nearly 10 years but this will count as one of finest performances. Numerous perfectly-timed tackles and interceptions, won countless headers in box and from player who is only in team due to Sven Botman’s injury. ReutersShow less

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  Dan Burn 7/10

  Injured his back in first half after landing awkwardly and looked like he might have to come off. Tried to play on but clearly in some discomfort so no surprise when he came off at break. Had done well up against dangerman Saka. AFPShow less

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  Sean Longstaff 7/10

  Lucky avoid injury when Havertz when through him on byline but was then booked protesting about it afterwards. Snapped at Arsenal heels throughout and stood up well to challenge of taking on a top-notch player like Rice in Arsenal midfield. AFPShow less

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  Bruno Guimaraes 8/10

  In thick of action for entire game. Surging runs, great passing, dragged one shot wide of target but then lucky to avoid punishment for thumping Jorginho round the head with his arm. Finally picked up booking in second half for dissent. AFPShow less

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  Joelinton 7/10

  Involved in game’s key moment when he beat Gabriel to header in box before Gordon scored which VAR decided was not a foul. Usual powerhouse in midfield and celebrated one late tackle like a goal. EPA

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  Miguel Almiron 7/10

  Relentless running at both ends of pitch epitomises everything good about Eddie Howe’s side. Enjoys great partnership with Trippier down Newcastle right and pace always a danger. AFP

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  Anthony Gordon 7/10

  Booked after aftermath of Havertz’s Longstaff tackle then frustrated after first touch let him down in Gunners penalty area with shooting opportunity on. Poked home from two metres out in 64th minute, but only after lengthy VAR check. AFPShow less

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  Callum Wilson 6/10

  Newcastle’s top scorer would have been relieved to see offside flag go up in first half after blazing close-range shot over bar. Went toe-to-toe with Gabriel from first whistle. Held ball up well but opportunity to add to his seven goals this season never arrived. EPAShow less

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  Tino Livramento 8/10

  SUBS: (On for Burn 46’) Played superbly in League Cup wins over both Manchester clubs and continued that form here. Left Martinelli a frustrated figure with his performance after coming on at right back. PAShow less

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  Joe Willock 7/10

  (On for Wilson 63’) Former Arsenal player kept ball in play before providing cross into box that led to Gordon scoring winner. Reuters

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  Jacob Murphy 7/10

  (On for Almiron 63’) Had shot that flew across face of goal soon after coming on, but Willock kept ball alive and Newcastle scored seconds later. Left frustrated when dislocated shoulder for second time in matter of weeks. PAShow less

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  Matt Ritchie N/A

  (On for Murphy 79’) Getty Images

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  David Raya 6/10

  ARSENAL RATINGS: Never had a serious save to make over 90 minutes but flapped at Willock cross ahead of Gordon’s winner as Arsenal lost for the first time in the Premier League this season. Reuters

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  Ben White 7/10

  Usual reliable day's work from the right-back who was part of tight Arsenal defensive performance. Kept on toes by pace of Gordon. Reuters

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  William Saliba 8/10

  French defender is just ice cool at the back, never gets ruffled, timing on challenges is immaculate and combined well with Gabriel to deny Newcastle dangerman Wilson any sight of goal. All four cnetre-backs on show at St James' Park were excellent. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Gabriel 8/10

  Involved in enjoyable physical battle with Wilson although did not cover himself in glory when he rolled around on floor holding face after one minor scuffle. Gunners felt he was pushed over just before Gordon scoring. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Takehiro Tomiyasu 7/10

  Nutmegged in spectacular fashion by Trippier in first half. Japanese left-back kept busy by Newcastle’s Trippier-Almiron combo. Switched flanks after White came off in second half. Reuters

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  Jorginho 7/10

  Captain on night for Gunners was on the receiving end of a couple challenges from Guimaraes that should have seen Newcastle midfielder booked. Kept things simple rarely wasted a pass. Reuters

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  Declan Rice 8/10

  A class act in midfield. Wins tackles, carries ball forward and generally picks out the right pass. Involved in minor scuffle with Guimaraes. Headed chance wide on the hour that came just a few minutes before Newcastle scoring. AFPShow less

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  Bukayo Saka 5/10

  Very quiet first half when he was well marked by Burn. Then up against Trippier after break and got no joy out of his England teammate either. PA

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  Gabriel Martinelli 6/10

  Had first-half’s only shot on target from either team just before break but could only fire effort straight at Pope when well placed. Was Arsenal's only shot on target. Well marked by both Trippier and then Livramento. AFPShow less

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  Kai Havertz 5/10

  Shown yellow card for late tackle on Longstaff that enraged home players and fans alike. Looked terrible in real time and lucky to only catch him with trailing leg. Still not offering Gunners enough of a goal threat. EPAShow less

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  Eddie Nketiah 5/10

  Scored hat-trick against Sheffield United last week but little sniff of goal at St James’ Park. Well marked by Newcastle’s two centre-backs. AP

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  Oleksandr Zinchenko 6/10

  SUBS: (On for White 73’) Ukrainian slotted into the defence with little problem. Getty Images

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  Leandro Trossard N/A

  (On for Nkeatiah 80’) EPA

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  Fabio Vieira N/A

  (On for Jorginho 80’) Second Arsenal player who went down holding face after minimal contact, this time from Guimaraes. AFP

Newcastle United handed Arsenal their first Premier League defeat of the season with a 1-0 win on Saturday thanks to a controversial second-half goal by Anthony Gordon.

Gordon scored in the 64th minute, firing past goalkeeper David Raya from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

There was a VAR break of more than four minutes to check if the ball went out for a goal kick, whether there was a foul in the build-up and for offside before the home fans could celebrate.

It was the only goal of a game full of grit, if lacking in quality and attempts on goal that was decided by one controversial moment.

“It's embarrassing what happened, how this goal stands,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “In the Premier League – this league that we say is the best in the world. I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace.”

Newcastle, who are unbeaten in their last seven league outings, climbed to sixth on 20 points after 11 games. Arsenal, who failed to score for the first time in all competitions this term, are third with 24, three behind leaders Manchester City.

Newcastle were furious when Kai Havertz escaped a red card for a wild first-half challenge on Sean Longstaff while Arsenal can point to Bruno Guimaraes avoiding punishment for elbowing Jorginho.

“Tough game. Massive win,” Magpies manager Eddie Howe said. “Full credit to the players for what they gave today, it was a battling performance.”

The victory capped a brilliant week for Newcastle, who humbled League Cup holders Manchester United 3-0 in their fourth round clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

You can see the player ratings for Saturday's game in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.