Pawson to referee Magpies' Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal | OneFootball

The Magpies head to the Emirates Stadium knowing they could be just two games away from a potential return to Wembley for the final, and the 45-year-old has been appointed to oversee the first meeting between the sides in North London.

It will be Pawson's fourth game involving Eddie Howe's side so far this term. He was in the middle for the 1-0 win over Southampton on the Premier League's opening day back in August - a match in which he sent off Fabian Schär - before taking charge of the 0-0 draw at Everton in October. He returned to Tyneside for United's 2-0 home defeat to West Ham in November.

Sheffield-born Pawson mainly referees Premier League fixtures, though he has also had outings in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League in the first half of 2024/25. Having also refereed in international fixtures in recent seasons, he stepped down as a FIFA-listed official at the end of last month.

2024/25 stats

Games (all competitions): 17

Yellow cards issued: 65

Red cards issued: 3

Assistants

Assistant referees: Ian Hussin and Wade Smith

Fourth official: Tony Harrington

VAR: John Brooks

Assistant VAR: Lee Betts