
<p>Newcastle picked up an advantage in their <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">Carabao Cup</a> semifinal matchup with Southampton on Tuesday. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/joelinton-goal-gives-newcastle-edge-in-carabao-cup-semis-20230124-WST-416746.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Magpies beat the Saints</a> on the road 1-0 on the night. They will now have an edge when the two teams meet up at St. James’ Park next week to decide which club moves on to the cup final.</p>



<p>The match was Newcastle’s 16th clean sheet in 26 total games so far this season. While keeping a clean sheet is certainly a team effort, goalkeeper Nick Pope deserves massive credit for the impressive record. In fact, Pope has helped keep a clean sheet in 10th-consecutive matches in all competitions. The England international was not between the sticks for the club’s 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the month.</p>



<h2>Teammate, opposing coach praise Nick Pope as top goalkeeper</h2>



<p>Following the Southampton match, Pope’s teammate Bruno Guimaraes gave the keeper some high praise. “I’d like to say thank you to Nick Pope, he has been brilliant for us. He is the best goalkeeper in the world,” <a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/football/news/11938/12794753/nick-pope-hailed-as-best-goalkeeper-in-the-world-by-newcastle-team-mate-bruno-guimaraes-after-10th-straight-clean-sheet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> the Brazilian midfielder.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣 "I think he&apos;s the best goalkeeper right now in the world." <br><br>Bruno Guimaraes thanks his goalkeeper Nick Pope during the post-match interview ❤️ <a href="https:\/\/t.co/ybQdfxfI3L">pic.twitter.com/ybQdfxfI3L</a></p>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1618009813081853953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Southampton head coach Nathan Jones also complimented Pope following his team’s loss on Tuesday. “There isn’t a better goalkeeper in the league, in terms of what you need to be a goalkeeper, using your hands, he’s categorically the best in the league,” <a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/football/news/11938/12794753/nick-pope-hailed-as-best-goalkeeper-in-the-world-by-newcastle-team-mate-bruno-guimaraes-after-10th-straight-clean-sheet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Jones.</p>



<h5>Keeper has been one of the signings of the season</h5>



<p>Pope has been a smash hit since his $12.5 million move from Burnley in the summer. The Magpies currently sit third in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> table and have allowed the fewest goals in the entire top flight (11). Pope has obviously been a major factor in Newcastle’s rejuvenation. The 30-year-old keeper currently leads the league in clean sheets as well.</p>



<p>Along with clean sheets, Pope also has impressive save percentage statistics as well. His 83.9% save rate is far and away tops among all Premier League goalkeepers. The closest shot-stopper in England’s top flight with at least 15 appearances is Fulham’s Bernd Leno with a save rate of 77.1%.</p>



<p>Newcastle fans will be hoping that Pope and his stingy defense can keep the club in <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champions League</a> contention. The Magpies have not played a top European competition game since 2003.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / News Images</em></p>


Bruno Guimaraes has called Nick Pope the 'greatest goalkeeper in the world' following his latest clean sheet on Tuesday, his 10th straight.

Nick Pope labeled 'best goalkeeper in the world' by Guimaraes


<p>Arsenal and Newcastle played out a top-three clash to a draw on Tuesday. The league leaders certainly looked the more likely to score for much of the game. However, Nick Pope made a number of saves and Newcastle was defensively sound, keeping the game scoreless.</p>



<p>The scoreless draw is Newcastle’s seventh clean sheet in its last nine Premier League games. Overall, Newcastle has 10 clean sheets, with <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/23/newcastle-sign-england-keeper-pope-from-burnley/">Nick Pope</a> in goal for all of them. </p>



<p>This game had fireworks, and was far from the stereotypical 0-0 draw. At the conclusion of the game, the referee distributed nine yellow cards, including one to a substitute on the bench. Despite Arsenal attempting 17 shots, neither side found the back of the net. </p>



<p>As stated, Nick Pope was the hero on the day on a number of occasions. The English international notably made a save on Eddie Nketiah towards the end of the match to preserve the goalless game. </p>



<h2>Penalty decision preserves scoreless draw between Arsenal and Newcastle</h2>



<p>Even then, Arsenal thought it had a chance to win with a penalty. Granit Xhaka drove down the inside of the box to cross a ball in. He crossed it into the middle, but a sliding Jacob Murphy deflected the attempt. Upon review, the ball seems to have hit Murphy’s arm.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Should Arsenal have been awarded a stoppage time penalty? <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/MyPLMorning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyPLMorning</a> | <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/ARSNEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARSNEW</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/vQprsD8fPQ">pic.twitter.com/vQprsD8fPQ</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1610390730144468995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>As co-commentator Jim Beglin noted, the issue for Arsenal was proximity. Murphy was practically on top of Xhaka as the Gunner played the ball in. There was simply nowhere else for Murphy to go.</p>



<h5>No change in the table after Tuesday</h5>



<p>Arsenal remains <a href="https:\/\/www.premierleague.com/tables" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top of the table</a>. The cushion over Manchester City is now eight points. However, Mikel Arteta will rue the opportunity to open a double-digit gap over the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-newcastle-could-contend-for-the-premier-league-20221229-WST-413496.html">most likely title challenger</a>. Regardless, the draw is just the third time Arsenal dropped points on the current season. The other draw was against Southampton, and Arsenal’s lone loss was at Old Trafford. Therefore, this was the first time Arsenal dropped points at the Emirates.</p>



<p>For Newcastle, the Magpies remain in third place. Manchester United’s win over Bournemouth today means that the Red Devils are level on points with Newcastle. However, Eddie Howe’s side has a vast a advantage in the goal differential department. Newcastle is at a goal differential of +21, while Manchester United, which won 3-0 on Tuesday, is only at +7.</p>



<p>Arsenal now prepares for a trip to League One side Oxford United in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> on Monday, Jan. 9. The Gunners return to Premier League play on Sunday, Jan. 15, with the North London Derby.</p>



<p>Newcastle is also making a trip to a third-tier side in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup third round</a>, traveling to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Newcastle plays in the Carabao Cup semifinals against Leicester City at St. James’ Park.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport</em></p>


Arsenal and Newcastle played to an exciting 0-0 draw on Tuesday, with both clubs retaining their spot in the top three of the Premier League.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Nick Pope"

England

Nick Pope labeled 'best goalkeeper in the world' by Guimaraes

Arsenal

Arsenal miss chance at 10 point gap with Newcastle draw