Martin Dubravka saved twice as Newcastle beat Blackburn 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 attract a compelling FA Cup fifth-round tie at Ewood Park on Tuesday.
The Newcastle goalkeeper denied Sammie Szmodics and Dom Hyam from the spot to safe a nervy victory after the Premier League outfit have been taken all the best way by the facet sixteenth within the Sky Guess Championship.
Blackburn had loved the higher hand for giant spells of the sport, however fell behind when Anthony Gordon broke the impasse after 71 minutes.
Rovers hit again and compelled extra-time with an equaliser from the spectacular Szmodics, however neither facet might discover a winner earlier than it fell to spot-kicks to find out the result.
How Newcastle edged previous gutsy Blackburn
The sport was delayed by quarter-hour to permit all followers to get into the bottom and was then gradual to get going, the very first thing of observe being a tennis ball protest by Blackburn followers.
Supporters annoyed on the membership’s continued possession by Indian poultry agency Venky’s, which is now in its 14th 12 months, symbolically lobbed balls onto the sector within the 14th minute.
The delay was transient and when the motion resumed it was Blackburn who settled faster.
Szmodics was the primary Rovers dangerman and went shut when he lashed a shot into the side-netting.
Tyrhys Dolan broke into the field and drew a great save from Dubravka, whose fingertip contact deflected the ball previous Szmodics.
Szmodics then tried his luck from lengthy vary, discovering solely the keeper, earlier than beating Fabian Schar and testing Dubravka once more.
Newcastle provided little earlier than the break other than an angled Sean Longstaff strike which didn’t bother Aynsley Pears.
Rovers began the second half the brighter and Dolan known as Dubravka into motion once more with a agency strike from the sting of the world.
Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe modified the steadiness simply after the hour as he despatched on Miguel Almiron, Lewis Miley and Ashley Barnes in a triple change.
The Magpies started to take management and Blackburn needed to scramble clear after a Kieran Trippier header was blocked on the road.
Longstaff headed over from a nook and Gordon ought to have carried out higher than shoot straight at Pears after being performed by means of.
Gordon made amends for that as he made the breakthrough 19 minutes from time, calmly stroking dwelling after a great run and neat cutback by Almiron.
It felt harsh on Rovers however, slightly than lie down and settle for defeat, the hosts rallied.
Newcastle’s lead lasted eight minutes as Arnor Sigurdsson broke down the appropriate and picked out Dilan Markanday, who thumped a first-time shot towards the bar.
Szmodics was the quickest to react to the rebound and coolly guided the bouncing ball into the web.
Rovers nearly snatched victory in stoppage time as Yasin Ayari’s deflected shot was saved by Dubravka together with his legs.
Newcastle had the primary alternative in extra-time, however Pears produced an excellent double save to disclaim Gordon and Longstaff at shut quarters.
The guests regarded sure to attain within the 112th minute when Gordon broke into the field and the ball was squared for Bruno Guimares, however Scott Wharton miraculously blocked on the road.
Szmodics had one other likelihood on the different finish, however once more Dubravka was alert.
It was Dubravka who proved the hero within the shoot-out, though it went to the ultimate kick after Barnes had his effort saved, as he tipped Hyam’s shot onto the submit.
What’s subsequent?
Blackburn go to Swansea on Saturday as they appear to ease their relegation worries within the Championship on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.
Newcastle host Wolves on Saturday as they appear to bounce again from their humbling at Arsenal final weekend, kick-off at 3pm.