Newcastle United extended their winning streak to four consecutive games when they came from behind to defeat Arsenal 2-1 in a Premier League encounter at St James Park on Sunday afternoon, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

A series of long balls by Jonjo Shelvey put the visitors under pressure in the opening exchanges, however it did not amount to anything.

Arsenal took the lead much against the run of play in the 14th minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang latched on a diagonal ball from Rob Holding before finding Alexandre Lacazette with an inch perfect cross in the area. The Frenchman made no mistake to net his 11th goal of the campaign.

The Gunners were denied a penalty minutes later when the Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles appeared to have handled Aubameyang’s goalbound effort in the area.

Newcastle leveled matters in the 29th minute with a class team effort with Ayoze Pérez sweeping home DeAndre Yedlin’s cross. The goal seemed to take the sting out of Arsenal’s attack

Calum Chambers missed a glorious opportunity to restore his sides lead moments before the half time break but the defender proved wasteful with his effort.

Leicester City loanee Islam Slimani came on as a substitute in the 64th minute for Dwight Gayle. The substitution paid dividends moments later when Slimani’s imposing physical presence led to a goal, which was scored by Matt Ritchie courtesy of a delightful lobbed-effort.

The home side could have put the game bwyond any doubt but Kennedy’s effort could only strike the crossbar with Petr Cech beaten.

Arsenal piled numbers forward in search of the equaliser, but it proved too little too late as Newcastle ran out 2-1 victors.

Photo: Premier League website

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za