NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, England -- The handshakes were cursory and the celebrations prolonged. Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe said Saturday's 1-0 win over Arsenal "means so much more" because of recent poor results, but there is another reason; Alexander Isak's 12th-minute header not only dented the Gunners' Premier League title hopes, but also deepened one of the division's more unlikely rivalries.
Both Howe and Mikel Arteta have attempted to make their sides more combative and streetwise as they both eye grander prizes. As a result, when these teams clash, sparks tend to fly.