Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Who was the hosts' bright spark? Which Gunners star kept getting caught defensively? And who was off the pace?

A brilliant first-half goal from Alexander Isak proved enough for Newcastle to record an impressive 1-0 home win against Arsenal.

The Sweden international took the lead in the twelfth minute after a brilliant cross from Anthony Gordon, giving the home side the lead at St James’ Park.

Arsenal tried to muster a response against the hosts, but Mikel Arteta’s side proved unable to find an equalizer.

The defeat puts Arsenal at risk of falling further behind reigning champions Man City and Liverpool in the Premier League title race, while the victory provided a major boost to Newcastle’s season.

Mail Sport’s Issan Khan rates the players at St James’ Park.

Alexander Isak scored the only goal as Newcastle secured a 1-0 win against Arsenal

Isak headed into Anthony Gordon’s brilliant cross to put the hosts ahead in the first half

The result is a blow for Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side at risk of losing distance in the title race

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3)

NICK POPE: 6.5

Good presence in the box during aerial crosses. A clean slate, too.

TINO LIVRAMENTO: 6.5

Undeterred by Gabriel Martinelli’s forward runs, he sticks firmly to his task.

FABIAN SCHAR: 6.5

I gave the attackers nothing to feed on. Made some tough exclusions.

THEN BURN: 6.5

Did well against Kai Havertz in duels. Played in sync with Schar.

LEWIS ROOM: 6.5

Did well at the back under pressure from Arsenal’s fast men.

BRUNO GUIMARAES: 6.5

Part of a midfield that took advantage of a lack of creativity from the opposition.

Lewis Hall, right, impressed for Newcastle when he faced Arsenal star Bukayo Saka

Sean Longstaff was milling about in midfield, refusing to give Arsenal players an inch of space

SEAN LONGSTAFF: 7.5

Chased around in the middle, it didn’t budge an inch. Caused a lot of problems for Arsenal’s midfield and was strong in tackles.

JOE WILLOCK: 6.5

Created a lot of pressure with direct runs and also helped defensively

ANTHONY GORDON: 8.5

A top class assist for Alexander Isak’s goal. Newcastle’s bright spark is moving forward and showing plenty of skill.

ALEXANDER ISAK: 8

Great header to score Newcastle’s goal. Lively in and around the box, the entire game.

JOELINTON: 6.5

It gave Thomas Partey a headache on that right flank. His height was an added bonus in a wide position.

Manager – EDDIE HOWE – 6.5

Gordon was applauded by Newcastle fans for his display as he was taken off the pitch late on

Isak picked up his goal brilliantly to help Newcastle end a run of five league games without a win

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

DAVID RAYA: 6

He made some good saves and caught well. Isak’s header was unstoppable.

THOMAS PARTEY: 5.5

Newcastle’s right flank continued to trap him in defensive positions. Didn’t get the extra protection due to the midfield battle between the two teams. Better in the second half when he is moved to midfield.

WILLEM SALIBA: 6

An honest performance, which stood out well in the matches against Joelinton and Isak.

GABRIEL: 6

Hit in the air by Isak for the goal.

JURRIEN HOUT: 6

There was a lot of ball possession in the first half. I tried to make things happen in the opposition half.

Declan Rice missed a heading opportunity in injury time, when he should have equalized for Arsenal

Mikel Merino looked overrun in midfield and Arsenal improved when he came off the pitch

DECLAN RICE: 6

I was left hanging there with the tough job of mopping up in front of the back line and trying to move the game forward. In injury time he missed a heading opportunity that he should have scored.

MIKEL MERINO: 5.5

Static in the middle and seemed to be swamped. Team got better after his substitution.

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 5.5

The pace and things he tried kept failing.

BUKAYO SAKA: 5.5

A very quiet first half. And in the second period he was often left out.

KAI HAVERTZ: 6

His best qualities, such as physicality and dueling, were negated by the lack of creativity around him.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6

Kept grabbing the ball and driving forward. However, the final product was not there.

Leandro Trossard seemed to be off the pace and what he tried failed

Saka was kept very quiet in the first half and was sent off by Newcastle in the second

Substitutes

ETHAN NWANERI: 6

I didn’t get the ball much at all, but the movement was fluid.

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO: 6

Couldn’t influence a game that was already becoming elusive.

AM WHITE: 5.5

Gave the ball away a few times. Due to his injury, he was probably used out of necessity.

GABRIEL JESUS: 5.5

No chance of note.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has now seen his side go three games without a Premier League win

Manager – MIKEL ARTETA: 5.5

That is now three games without a win in the Premier League.

Referee – JOHN BROOKS: 6

The game almost got out of hand at times, but kept a lid on it.