FA Cup round-up: Newcastle need penalties to squeeze past ...

Published 27/02/2024 at 23:03 GMT

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was Newcastle's hero as the Premier League side narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset at the hands of Championship side Blackburn.

Eddie Howe's side needed penalties to booked their place in the quarter-finals, with the game finishing 1-1 over 120 minutes.

A late goal from Anthony Gordon had looked set to send the Magpies through to the last eight, only for Sammie Szomdics sending the clash to extra-time.

Newcastle are searching for their first trophy since 1955, and with the club currently occupying 10th in the Premier League, the competition could also offer them their best chance of getting back into Europe next season.

Both sides carved out a number of openings in a thrilling game, with Tyrhys Dolan and Szmodics having shots saved for the hosts, while Sean Longstaff came close at the other end.

Gordon fired Newcastle in front with 19 minutes left when he converted Miguel Almiron's low pass, before Szmodics equalised shortly afterwards with a rebound from inside the six yard box.

Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears made several more stunning stops in extra-time, including a sublime double stop to deny Gordon and Longstaff, to send the game to spot-kicks.

And Dubravka saved Blackburn's first and fifth penalties from Szmodics and Dominic Hyam as the Magpies squeezed through.

Elsewhere, extra-time was required to separate Bournemouth and high-flying Championship side Leicester.

Both managers named much-changed starting XIs for the game, but the strikers from each side had left their shooting boots at home.

With the game looking destined for penalties, it was the Foxes, FA Cup winners back in 2020/21, who caused an upset, as 19-year-old Abdul Fatawu netted a 105th minute thunderbolt.

Erling Haaland scored five for Pep Guardiola's side, who have reached the last eight for the sixth successive season.

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