Newcastle reach the FA Cup quarter-finals after Blackburn penalty drama
Blackburn 1-1 Newcastle (Szmodics 79′ | Gordon 71′) (Newcastle win 4-3 on penalties)
EWOOD PARK — In the end the roar from the packed out Darwen End drowned out the alarm bells for Newcastle United.
This was no vintage display for Eddie Howe’s side – indebted as they were to Martin Dubravka, both over 120 minutes and in the penalty shoot-out – but a spot kick victory keeps the season alive and kicking and heads off any crisis talk.
For the neutral it was a thriller, Blackburn Rovers performing superbly to make a mockery of their lowly Championship status. From Aynsley Pears to the excellent Sammie Szmodics they landed some decisive shots on visitors who were once again below par.
But there was no knockout blow thanks to composure from the spot and Dubravka, who has come in for criticism deputising for Nick Pope but was simply superb here. His decisive stop from Dominic Hyam in the penalties was brilliant and it is not an exaggeration to say it has saved their season.
Newcastle’s performances may be anaemic of late, but the full-throated cries of their away supporters about going to Wembley indicate there could yet be a happy ending to a troubling season.
Blackburn is a club that is ill at ease with itself. A 16th minute tennis ball protest against owners Venky’s, whose questionable 14 year reign has alienated supporters and seen the club slide into mediocrity, was proof of continued off the field tumult but on it the appointment of John Eustace has arrested the slide in form at least.
They certainly looked the more dynamic of the two teams in a first half that was further proof of Newcastle’s alarming recent decline. Last term they looked electric, a team with presence who attack with purpose. Lately it feels like the switch has tripped and this was another underpowered display.
Their build-up play was laboured, runs lacked zip and their “swarm” – the intense pressing that was their trademark last season – had no buzz.
By contrast Blackburn’s counters carried real threat. The returning Martin Dubravka made a superb save to deny Tyrhys Dolan after Sam Gallagher cannoned against the side netting.
Just before the break Szmodics drew another fine save from the Newcastle goalkeeper. They worked out what too many of Newcastle’s opponents have sensed this season: Howe’s side are there to be got at.
Credit to Eustace, so unfairly sacked by Birmingham City earlier in the season, because he had clearly done his homework. Blackburn sat deep in defence, posing questions Newcastle’s underwhelming midfield couldn’t answer. And when the visitors gave the ball away – which they did with alarming regularity for most of the first half – they were poised to pounce at pace.
Howe tried to tinker, switching Alexander Isak to the wing and moving Anthony Gordon into a central role early on. But little was shaking them out of their lethargy and it was a sign of how worried the Newcastle manager was that he made a triple substitution on the hour mark. Isak, Newcastle’s best forward but who has clearly been rushed back to plug the club’s bewildering striker gap, was withdrawn as Gordon moved into the number nine role and Miguel Almiron entered the fray.
It was the spark they needed. Almiron has his detractors and struggles, at times, for composure in key moments but he breathed fresh life into Newcastle’s attack. It was his run and cut back that teed up Gordon for an instinctive finish.
Player of the match: Sammie Szmodics
- The forward was lively, full of spark and the man who drew Rovers level deservedly with a smart finish
Game over? Far from it. This is Newcastle’s class of 2024 – there is always a way back into things.
This time it was skipper Jamaal Lascelles whose attempt to head the ball out of play was a horrific misjudgement and let in Dilan Markanday. Dubravka tipped his effort onto the bar but Szmodics reacted quickest to convert the rebound and set up a thrilling extra time..
