Newcastle scored four targets in the closing 22 minutes to rescue a point and dent Arsenal’s title chances in an astonishing recreation at St James’ Park.
The guests cruised into a four-objective lead after 26 minutes and appeared set for an easy victory as the home fans headed for the exits.
But, after Abou Diaby was despatched-off early within the second half, the game was turned on its head as the hosts mounted an unbelievable comeback that could have ended with them taking all three points.
However ultimately they needed to accept a draw after two Joey Barton penalties, a Leon Greatest strike and Cheik Tiote’s outrageous 30-yard volley as the game headed into injury-time.
And the end result was an enormous blow to Arsenal, who are 4 points behind Manchester United having performed another sport than the league leaders.
Both sides made two changes after their mid-week games, nevertheless it was Arsenal who immediately seemed the more composed as they made a shocking begin, taking the lead inside forty five seconds.
There was little on when the ball was performed to Andrey Arshavin in midfield, however the Russian, recalled to the facet after his high-quality performance in its place towards Everton, played the ball behind the Newcastle defence.
Theo Walcott then turned on the after-burners as he sped past Fabricio Coloccini earlier than slotting into Steve Harper’s net.
And the lead was doubled simply two minutes later, with Newcastle being made to pay for giving the ball away from the restart. Arshavin was once more involved within the purpose, as his in-swinging free-kick was headed residence with ease by Johan Djourou for his first professional goal.
The home followers had been shocked, and within 10 minutes it was three-0. Once more the defending was simply woeful as Walcott was given time and house to select an unmarked Robin van Persie, who fired residence together with his right foot from six yards out.
Arsenal were toying with their hosts, and made it 4 after 26 minutes as van Persie headed dwelling unmarked from six yards out as the Newcastle defence went absent with out go away as soon as once more, causing the home fans to depart in their thousands.
The guests were seemingly residence and dry, but Diaby got himself despatched off at first of the second half after completely dropping his composure.
The midfielder was upset after a strong problem on him by Joey Barton and reacted by grabbing his opponent’s neck and forcing him to the ground before pushing Kevin Nolan, giving referee Phil Dowd little possibility however to ship him off.
That lifted the hosts and so they pulled a purpose again when Laurent Koscielny was judged, extraordinarily harshly, to have fouled Leon Best. Barton slotted residence earlier than Nolan shoved Wojciech Sczcesny to the ground. Bizarrely, the Pole was booked but Dowd didn't punish Nolan.
And Newcastle pulled one other back when Finest acquired the better of Koscielny earlier than firing into the far corner.
Szczesny then made two gorgeous saves as Newcastle piled on the pressure, and they received a 3rd from the spot after Koscielny was harshly adjudged to have fouled Mike Williamson.
And the comeback to finish all comebacks was completed when Tiote lashed a cleared free-kick past Szczesny to spark scenes of delirium in the stands.
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