Emmanuel Adebayor took his season's tally to 18 goals to ensure Arsenal progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Keegan's Newcastle out of FA Cup following 3-0 defeat
Emmanuel Adebayor took his season's tally to 18 goals to ensure Arsenal progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
It was Kevin Keegan's second game in charge since his return to Newcastle United, and while his side restricted The Gunners to few chances in the first half, Arsenal turned on the style in the second.
Adebayor broke the deadlock on 51 minutes, firing home after Eduardo da Silva's effort had come back off the post.
The Togo international then put the game beyond doubt when he slotted past the exposed Shay Given after an excellent solo run.
A miserable tie for Newcastle was rounded off with a Nicky Butt own goal as Cesc Fabregas' free-kick flicked off the midfielder's head to drop into the back of the net.
The first opening came on five minutes, when Philippe Senderos' long ball into the penalty area almost picked out Fabregas, but was just too far ahead of the Spain midfielder who could not get any power on his shot at full stretch.
Arsenal were forced into an early change when winger Tomas Rosicky hobbled out and was replaced by Croatian hitman Eduardo.
Dangerous
Newcastle looked dangerous on the break - and they almost snatched the lead on 14 minutes when the ball dropped to Alan Smith on the penalty spot following a corner on the left, and his goalbound shot was headed off the line by Gael Clichy.
Arsenal were anything but solid at the back as Newcastle captain Michael Owen dragged an effort across goal from the right.
Clichy was in the thick of the action at the other end, when his curling shot from the left corner of the Newcastle penalty box was parried by Given after 16 minutes.
The Newcastle keeper was alert again when Steven Taylor misjudged a high ball on the edge of the area, which let in Eduardo, whose angled drive was well saved at the near post.
Taylor almost made up for his error with a timely arrival at the other end, but his looping header fell on top of the net.
Slowly Arsenal stepped up the pressure, with Adebayor flashing a header just wide under close attention from Newcastle centre-back Claudio Cacapa.
In first-half stoppage time, Abou Diaby cut inside from the left, and sent in a dipping effort from the edge of the box - which Given tipped over acrobatically.
Newcastle again looked determined to take the game to Arsenal following the restart but on 51 minutes, the Gunners were in front.
Eduardo made space for himself on the edge of the penalty area, and sent in a curling left-foot shot which had Given beaten, but struck the base of the keeper's right-hand post.
The defence failed to clear the loose ball, and in-form Adebayor showed good close control before lashing his effort into the left corner, to leave Arsenal celebrating their 100th goal at Emirates Stadium.
Unfortunate
Newcastle could count themselves somewhat unfortunate to be trailing after their determined performance.
Owen felt he had a penalty shout when the ball was flicked up on to Senderos' arm, but referee Martin Atkinson thought otherwise.
With 20 minutes left, it needed a fine saving block from Cacapa to deny Eduardo, after he collected a flick into the six-yard box and rifled in his first-time effort on the turn.
Arsenal made sure of their place in the last 16 when Adebayor darted into the right side of the area, held off two defenders and drew the keeper, before firing in a low shot which last man Taylor could not keep out.
An own goal from Butt made it 3-0 late on, as Eduardo looked to nod in Fabregas' free-kick from six yards.
| Arsenal |
Team Statistics |
Newcastle United |
| 3 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
1 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 8 |
Corners |
5 |
| 7 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
9 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 48.8 |
Possession |
51.2 |
|
