Howe breathes sigh of relief as Newcastle survive penalties to edge Blackburn
The loyalists chanted his name and Eddie Howe acknowledged them - more in relief than celebration.
The Newcastle manager knew that this penalty shootout win had saved what is left of his chastening season and will lessen the speculation over his long-term future in the role. And as unconvincing and as uncomfortable as this was, it might just give Howe and Newcastle the lift they need.
Because in the end, all that mattered was that Martin Dubravka’s heroics - saving the shootout efforts of Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics and skipper Dom Hyam - sent Newcastle stumbling into the last eight, winning 4-3 on penalties. No wonder the huge travelling support erupted.
As if they did not expect a decent crowd for the Alan Shearer derby, kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes because of congestion outside Ewood Park.
It cannot have been caused by travelling Newcastle fans because most of them seemed to be in position not long after darkness fell on Lancashire. No, they are not unique and yes, there are plenty of other fans who share their passion, but you can only tip your hat to their dedication.
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Seen as though many of them will have forked out for a thumping in North London on Saturday night, this was a fantastic effort. They were hardly rewarded by Newcastle’s early contribution to this contest, Kieran Trippier’s woefully over-hit free-kick - from a dangerous position - typifying the away team’s wastefulness.
And when the first opportunity of any note arrived just before the half-hour mark, it fell to Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics but he sliced his effort into the side-netting.
Anthony Gordon put Newcastle ahead (Getty Images)Moments later, Martin Dubravka had to make a smart, sprawling intervention to convert Tyrhys Dolan’s’s goal-bound drive into a corner-kick before flicking another decent Szmodics hit into the crowd. It was as though John Eustace’s men had suddenly realised this was a Newcastle side not exactly brimming with verve and confidence.
Instead, this was a Newcastle side that often looked lethargic and not operating at standard Premier League pace. If you did not know better, you might have thought one or two of them did not look fully interested … but perhaps that is just the way Anthony Gordon sometimes carries himself.
Newcastle were so insipid that his half-time address was one of the most important of Eddie Howe’s tenure - and that is not too much of an exaggeration. Whatever the words he chose, they did not seem to strike much of an immediate chord, Dubravka quickly called upon to beat away John Buckley’s attempt from distance.
But Sammie Szmodics levelled for Blackburn to send the game to extra time (Mark Kerton/Every Second Media/REX/Shutterstock)And it was no surprise that the hour mark brought a triple change from Howe, although when it came to the personnel withdrawn, he could have permed any three from ten, his side had been that dire. The changes, though, had the desired effect, Miguel Almiron’s clever work setting up a routine finish for Gordon, who suddenly seemed rejuvenated.
Howe’s celebrations were suitably serious but relatively short-lived, a mistake from Jamaal Lascelles opening the way for Dilan Markanday to send an effort onto the underside of the bar - via Dubravka’s fingertips - before the impressive Szmodics popped home the equaliser on the rebound.
A remarkable double save by Aynsley Pears kept Blackburn hopes alive in extra-time but it was Dubravka who then broke Blackburn hearts … and left Howe a very relieved man.
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