Alexander Isak’s header gives Newcastle victory to dent Arsenal’s title hopes

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak dented Arsenal’s title hopes as his bullet header condemned them to a second Premier League defeat of the season.

The Sweden international converted Anthony Gordon’s inviting 12th-minute cross with aplomb to claim his third goal in as many games and hand the Magpies a 1-0 win in front of a crowd of 52,249 at St James’ Park.

Three points were just reward for a committed display which kept the Gunners at bay despite the wealth of possession they enjoyed, and provided further proof that Eddie Howe’s men, for whom full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento were outstanding, are emerging from the patchy form which characterised their early-season performances.

Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta will have been happy with much of what he saw ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan, but a lack of incision and pace in his team’s play ultimately cost them dearly.

The Gunners, who lost on Tyneside in controversial circumstances last season, set off as if they meant business with Leandro Trossard dragging a second-minute shot wide of Nick Pope’s goal, and former Magpie Mikel Merino was spectacularly wayward with an ambitious seventh-minute volley.

Bukayo Saka dragged an 11th-minute attempt wide of the near post after Jurrien Timber had been allowed to control keeper David Raya’s long ball straight down the middle, but the momentum shifted dramatically within seconds.

Gordon, lining up on the right of the front three rather than his preferred left, crossed first time when presented with the opportunity to do so and Isak rose between central defenders William Saliba and Gabriel to head firmly past Raya.

Saka headed wide under pressure from Hall, but Newcastle were easing their way