After overcoming Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, Newcastle United advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals, and they have one man to thank for it.
After a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, Eddie Howe’s team secured their place in the hat for the FA Cup quarterfinal draw. In front of just under 7,500 Magpies supporters at the Darwen End, Martin Dubravka’s two penalty saves proved to be sufficient to give them a 4-3 shootout victory.
Newcastle rode their luck at times, but Dubravka deserves credit for keeping them in it during the 120 minutes that went before the shootout with a number of clutch saves. While providing commentary for the BBC during the game, Danny Murphy praised the Slovakian’s performance and expressed his belief that it may be a turning point in Newcastle’s season and their chances of breaking their lengthy trophy drought.
Murphy stated: “They have that man in goal to thank because Dubravka made a fantastic save.” They had a few opportunities in extra time, and you began to doubt that this would be their night.
However, they suddenly had a little bit of luck and won the penalty shootout. Is this the year for them? They should be grateful to the goalie tonight for his outstanding final save. Wonderful.
In agreement with the former midfielder for Liverpool and Fulham, Alan Shearer said that Newcastle owes a lot to the 35-year-old: “After the game, Shearer said, ‘Newcastle owe him a lot. Their best player was him.
“Made some incredible saves in the extra time and the first half, and he stopped two penalties, of course.” They are in the next round because of him, and they owe him a great deal.
