Newcastle's hopes of finishing second in the Premier League came to an end at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon after Arsenal's Declan Rice fired in the only goal of the game.

In a game of two halves, United failed to find the net despite dominating the first period and managing five efforts on target in the first quarter; David Raya denying Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn and Sven Botman.

Eddie Howe's side failed to carry that threat following the interval however and the Gunners grew into the contest, culminating in the 55th minute winner clinically dispatched past Nick Pope by the fit-again Rice.

With Alexander Isak missing from the starting line-up due injury, Callum Wilson made his first league start since the defeat at Liverpool in February but never looked remotely like finding the net, despite his side creating chances.

Guimaraes looked a certain scorer six yards out but went for placement and was denied, Livramento's shot after a fine move was too near Raya and Burn was unlucky that the 'keeper saved his header before Botman was also foiled.

Leandro Trossard shot just wide and Pope blocked a Thomas Partey header as the listless Gunners tried to hit back, Raya again to the rescue when a Harvey Barnes shot was deflected off Partey towards the bottom corner of the goal.

The Magpies ended the half well on top in terms of chances and possession, disappointed not to be in front against a side they'd beaten three times already during the season in all competitions without conceding a single goal.

That changed 10 minutes after the restart though, when Anthony Gordon was dispossessed by Bukayo Saka on the left hand side of the United half. 

Martin Odegaard advanced before turning the ball infield to Rice and his firmly-hit first-time drive from the edge of the box swung away from Pope to belatedly bring a slumbering Emirates to life.

Howe responded with changes; Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley and William Osula all introduced and Joe Willock also coming on for the closing stages.

Former Gunner Willock could have scored in the 83rd minute but fired high and wide after doing well to make a chance for himself inside the box near the left hand byline.

A melee in added time following a Newcastle corner saw players from both sides confront each other in the Arsenal box after Burn challenged Raya, opposite number Pope having coming forward for the set piece. 

Jakub Kiwior and Burn were booked following a VAR check before referee Simon Hooper blew for full time.

A single goal defeat was the least worst result in terms of limiting the damage to United's goal difference compared to Chelsea, avoiding going further behind of equal or even greater importance than trying to force a leveller. 

And although hopes of stealing second place from Mikel Arteta's side ended, the overall task remains unchanged from what it was before the first whistle here today.

Regardless of the outcome of Manchester City's game in hand and other results next Sunday, Eddie Howe's side will secure a Champions League place by beating Everton.

That would make it seven PL wins in a row at Gallowgate and 13 in 19 home games this season - the best top flight total by any Magpies side in the top flight since 2003. 

Full match report to follow.

PL results/fixtures:

Fri 16.05.2025:
Aston Villa 2-0 Spurs
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

Sun 18.05.2025:
Everton 2-0 Southampton
West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Brentford 2-3 Fulham
Leicester City 2-0 Ipswich Town
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

Mon 19.05.2025:
Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool (8pm) Sky

Tue 20.05.2025:
Crystal Palace v Wolves (8pm)
Manchester City v Bournemouth (8pm)

Sun 25.05.2025 (TV picks awaited):
Bournemouth v Leicester City (4pm)
Fulham v Manchester City (4pm)
Ipswich Town v West Ham (4pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (4pm)
Manchester United v Aston Villa (4pm)
Newcastle v Everton (4pm)
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (4pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (4pm)
Spurs v  Brighton & Hove Albion (4pm)
Wolves v Brentford (4pm)

Referee: Simon Hooper -  a fifth game of the season in charge of the Magpies for the Wiltshire-based referee.

Beginning with defeats at Chelsea and Brentford, Hooper took charge of the 2-0 win at Old Trafford and the 2-0 Carabao Cup second leg success against Arsenal at SJP.

VAR: Michael Salisbury.

After the game Eddie Howe said:

"We've had to win a number of games to get in this position. It's in our hands. Everything in our preparation needs to be really focused. This game has gone, second has gone, we have to be ready for next week.

"As soon as we get one or two injuries, we're stretched. We've said that every since I've been here. We are light. 

" When you lose Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock, Lewis Hall, and then Alex today (and Joelinton), you see those players missing. Then you lose your firepower from the bench. They are developing, they will be good players. But we've lost a bit of firepower.

"We were really good in the first half, really strong and really imposed ourselves on that match. Their goalkeeper made some great saves, we didn't take one of those huge moments. 

" The second half was very different but we defended well. The goal that won the game was an unbelievable effort.

"My mood is the same after we lose: I'm disappointed, frustrated, takes time to get out of that way of thinking. I will look back positively on this game, there was so much to take from it. 

"Halfway through the season we weren't in a great position. We worked hard to get here. It's an incredibly tight race. We have one more game to execute what we need.

"We love playing at home. It's a really great atmosphere. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and make it too emotional.

"We know what we have to do, our home form has been strong. We've enjoyed playing there, there will be none bigger than this. The Newcastle fans will come out for us.

"You can label that at us we weren't ruthless, we didn't take the chances. It's not for a lack of trying. We were really strong mentally today. There was no hangover from the players."

On Isak's injury:

"I don't think this is a surgery issue. It's not something that needs mending. It is certain that is needs looking at as to why he gets these groin complaints. It's not a surgery issue, it's a 'what we need to strengthen that area' issue."

"It's a difficult one to go too deep into. The standard with him missing is so strong. We looked very good in every phase in that first half. The final action, he is better than anyone this season. He's been a brilliant finisher for us. 

" Unfortunately for Callum (Wilson), none fell to him. But it was a strong performance in his absence."

On whether Isak will face Everton:

"That's unknown. I don't know.

"He only felt pain after training, during training he was fine. It was stiffness and went to get a scan. Then it became clear he was not fit to play. 

"A lot will depend how he reacts. He had a couple of groin issues either side, but this is one he felt earlier in the season."

Stats: 

Eddie Howe's side ended their PL away campaign with eight victories on the road, one short of their best-ever total.

Emil Krafth was shown a yellow card just 29 seconds after arriving on the field as a substiute. 

Magpies @ Gunners - PL era:

2024/25 Lost 0-1
2024/25 Won 2-0 Isak, Gordon (LC)
2023/24 Lost 1-4 Willock
2022/23 Drew 0-0
2021/22 Lost 0-2
2020/21 Lost 0-3
2020/21 Lost 0-2 (FAC)
2019/20 Lost 0-4
2018/19 Lost 0-2
2017/18 Lost 0-1
2015/16 Lost 0-1
2014/15 Lost 1-4 Perez
2013/14 Lost 0-3
2012/13 Lost 3-7 Ba 2, Marveaux
2011/12 Lost 1-2 Ben Arfa
2010/11 Won 1-0 Carroll
2008/09 Lost 0-3
2007/08 Lost 0-3
2007/08 Lost 0-3 (FAC)
2007/08 Lost 0-2 (LC)
2006/07 Drew 1-1 Dyer
2005/06 Lost 0-2
2004/05 Lost 0-1
2003/04 Lost 2-3 Robert, Bernard
2002/03 Lost 0-1
2001/02 Lost 0-3 (FAC)
2001/02 Won 3-1 O'Brien, Shearer, Robert
2000/01 Lost 0-5
1999/00 Drew 0-0
1998/99 Lost 0-3
1997/98 Lost 1-3 Barton
1996/97 Won 1-0 Elliott
1995/96 Lost 0-2 (LC)
1995/96 Lost 0-2
1994/95 Won 3-2 og(Keown), Beardsley, Fox
1993/94 Lost 1-2 Beardsley

Newcastle failed to gain at least a point from their closing PL away game of the season for the first time in seven attempts, since a single goal loss against Spurs at their temporary Wembley home in 2018.

NUFC final away game results - PL: