- Newcastle United have advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after defeating Blackburn Rovers through penalty shootout
- Dubravka was Newcastle’s hero, denying Blackburn several times in normal time before saving two penalties in the shootout
Newcastle United advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after winning the Blackburn vs Newcastle fixture played on Tuesday night.
The fifth round FA Cup tie ended 1-1 on normal time and had to be decided through penalty shootout where Martin Dubravka was Newcastle’s hero. The 35-year-old goalkeeper saved Sammie Szmodics effort before pushing Dominic Hyam’s penalty on to the post to win it for Newcastle United.
Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon all converted their attempts from the penalty spot as the Magpies recorded a significant win at Ewood Park. Harvey Barnes was the only player from the Premier League side to miss his spot-kick.
Blackburn vs Newcastle. Photo/ BBC.
Newcastle thought they had won the match in normal time when Anthony Gordon scored in the 71st minute but Blackburn found their way back barely eight minutes later to force extra time and eventually penalty shootouts.
Speaking after the Blackburn vs Newcastle match, the Magpies boss Eddie Howe said they are aiming to win the FA Cup this year and also finish as high as possible in the Premier League.
“There is only one emotion and that is relief. It was a hard-fought cup tie. Both sides gave everything to get the win and didn’t give an inch, but we are delighted to be in the hat for the next round. No-one is under-estimating the importance of the FA Cup so the players are very happy. Our target this year is the FA Cup and to finish as high as possible in the Premier League, and this is hopefully pivotal towards that.” Eddie Howe is quoted by BBC Sports.
Blackburn Vs Newcastle
Hosting Premier League side Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers knew they had to win this encounter to boost a much-needed confidence into a stuttering campaign. Blackburn are winless under new boss John Eustace, losing one and drawing three.
The opening stages of the Blackburn vs Newcastle tie was somehow cagey, with chances being scarce for both sides. Blackburn recorded the first attempt on goal through Sammie Szmodics but his shot hit the sidenet. The hosts came knocking again afterwards but Dubravka did well to deny Tyrhys Dolan.
As half-time drew closer, Newcastle got into the match and even had several attempts on goal. Sean Longstaff could have given the visitors the lead but his shot hit the legs of Aynsley Pears. Szmodics, who was searching his 24th goal of the season for Blackburn, unleashed a powerful strike shortly before the break but it was deflected over the bar.
Blackburn picked up from where they had left in the second period, with Dubravka being called to action early on to stop John Buckley’s long-range effort from going in.
Martin Dubravka was Newcastle’s hero during the match against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night. Photo/ Flashscore.com.
Sensing danger, Eddie Howe’s men had to also move forward in search of goal and were rewarded in the 71st minute when Anthony Gordon was picked by substitute Miguel Almiron in the box. The 23-year-old, who had missed a few chances earlier, made no mistake this time as he directed his finish into the bottom corner.
But Blackburn were back level eight minutes later when Szmodics scored a rebound from close range after Dubravka had turned Dilan Markanday’s initial effort onto the woodwork. Blackburn nearly won the tie in the third minute of injury-time, but Dubravka was once again Newcastle’s hero, denying Yasin Ayari from a promising position.
The action continued in extra time where Gordon and Longstaff were denied by Blackburn’s goalkeeper Pears. The visitors also missed several chances and the winner of the Blackburn vs Newcastle tie had to be decided through penalty shootouts, where Eddie Howe’s side triumphed.
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