Alexander Isak’s early header gave Newcastle a 1-0 win over Arsenal at St James’ Park on Saturday, while Eddie Howe’s men put a dent in Arsenal’s title hunt with their first win in six Premier League games and their lofty title ambitions The enemy was destroyed in the process.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners remain provisionally third in the standings on 18 points, with the two teams above them – Manchester City and Liverpool – playing later on Saturday. Newcastle climbed to eighth place with 15 points.

Isak scored his third league goal of the season in the 12th minute after Newcastle played the ball wide to Anthony Gordon, who then hit a pinpoint cross from the right to the 25-year-old Swede, who snuck in between defenders Gabriel and William Saliba to the header into the far corner, past David Raya.

“That was huge,” Isak told TNT Sports. “A big game against a big team, I think it means a lot to us and the fans, it’s kind of a statement that we can win this game.”

“(Heading) is not my strongest attribute,” he added. “It feels good to score.”

Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

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The Magpies, who beat Arsenal by the same score at St James’ Park last season, did well to keep the visitors off the scoresheet by swarming around them every time they got close to the penalty area.

Declan Rice headed a cross just wide in stoppage time, Arsenal’s best chance of the day, then held his head in his hands in frustration.

Arteta’s side wasted a handful of chances, including Bukayo Saka’s header, which he fired narrowly wide from Kai Havertz’s cross.

Lewis Hall also denied a chance for Mikel Merino, who volleyed the ball towards goal in a crowded six-yard box.

But Arsenal, who have won just two of their last six league games, could achieve little against a Newcastle side that had benefited from the momentum of a comfortable 2-0 League Cup win over Chelsea three days earlier.