FA Cup: Edu's goal seperates Newcastle and Arsenal at interval

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FA Cup quarter-final

Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal H/T

Edu 14

Brazilian midfielder Edu kept Arsenal’s treble dream alive as he fired them into a half-time lead at Newcastle.

The South American struck with just 10 minutes gone, although the Magpies put the Gunners’ goal under intense pressure, Richard Wright saving from Alan Shearer and Laurent Robert seeing a powerful volley come back off the bar.

Aaron Hughes picked up a 23rd-minute yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Edu as Newcastle worked hard to close down space, and the ploy proved successful as they forced a series of free-kicks and corners.

But the delivery in promising situations from Robert and Solano was too often not good enough, leaving the visitors’ defence largely unpunished.

Solano did provide some more promising service on the half-hour after Andy O’Brien and Acuna battled to retain possession deep inside enemy territory, but Cort’s header under pressure dropped wide.

But Wright was a relieved man a minute later when Nikos Dabizas met Robert’s free-kick with a thunderbolt header, but could not sneak it inside the keeper’s right post.

Arsenal were content to sit back and try to hit their opponents on the break as they did so effectively last Saturday, but this time, they found themselves under ever-increasing pressure.

Stepanovs had to hack another Cort header away after Solano had picked the striker out at the far post on 31 minutes as the Magpies maintained a high tempo.

Even Sol Campbell and Dixon, who had been so solid last week, showed signs of wilting under the pressure, although it was Dabizas who almost gifted Wiltord a clear run at goal with an ill-judged 40th-minute back-pass.

The Gunners retreated behind the ball in numbers when Newcastle were in possession, and although Robert made half a yard of space for Shearer on the stroke of half-time, his shot from distance did not trouble Wright.