Eddie Howe spoke of his “relief” as Newcastle edged past Blackburn in a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup – a competition the Magpies boss says they are “desperate” to win.
Martin Dubravka was Newcastle’s hero at Ewood Park, pushing Dominic Hyam’s penalty on to the post after also saving from Sammie Szmodics, who had earlier scored in normal time.
Harvey Barnes missed his spot-kick for the Premier League side, but Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon scored their attempts to take them through after a thriller.
“There is only one emotion and that is relief,” said Howe. “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 underestimating the importance of the FA Cup so the players are very happy.
“This keeps us in a competition we are desperate to do well in and also gets us closer to Wembley. We’re one game away so hopefully we can get a good draw.
“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.”
Gordon had put Newcastle ahead in the 71st minute with a first-time finish after a bright run from substitute Miguel Almiron down the right wing. It came just after Gordon had been denied by Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears when through on goal.
But Blackburn, 16th in the second tier, were only behind for eight minutes.
Szmodics grabbed his 24th goal of the season in all competitions, reacting quickest to convert the rebound after Dubravka had acrobatically touched Dilan Markanday’s shot on to the underside of the crossbar.
Rovers nearly won it in the third minute of injury time, but Yasin Ayari’s strike was blocked by Dubravka’s legs to take the tie to extra time.
Schar, Gordon, Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn and Guimaraes also missed good chances for the visitors, with Szmodics having another effort saved in a breathless extra-time period, before the tie was settled by spot-kicks.
The draw for the quarter-finals takes place at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, before Chelsea’s home meeting with Leeds on ITV4, with the ties played over the weekend of 16 March.
Dubravka heroics give Newcastle new ‘hope’
The ending was harsh on Rovers captain Hyam and fellow defender Scott Wharton, who had been named player of the match after a superb performance that included a fantastic goalline block in extra time to deny Guimaraes.
The penalties took place in front of Newcastle’s 7,430 travelling fans, who helped create a superb atmosphere in what proved to be a classic cup tie. The crowd of 22,730 was the highest for a Blackburn match at Ewood Park since 27,600 witnessed a League One promotion party against Oxford United on 5 May 2018.
The result means Newcastle can still salvage something from a season that promised so much, but has seen a string of disappointments.
Before the game, Howe said the campaign could “still be very special”.
The Magpies came fourth in the Premier League last year to qualify for the Champions League for the first time after a 20-year absence, but are currently down in 10th with a top-four spot seemingly beyond them.
