Szmodics scores but misses penalty in shootout as Newcastle overcome Blackburn
Martin Dubravka saved twice as Newcastle beat Blackburn 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 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 secure a nervy victory after the Premier League outfit were taken all the way by the side 16th in the Sky Bet Championship.
Blackburn had enjoyed the upper hand for large spells of the game, but fell behind when Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock after 71 minutes.
Rovers hit back and forced extra time with an equaliser from the impressive Szmodics, but neither side could find a winner before it fell to spot-kicks to determine the outcome.
The game was delayed by 15 minutes to allow all fans to get into the ground and was then slow to get going, the first thing of note being a tennis ball protest by Blackburn fans.
Supporters frustrated at the club’s continued ownership by Indian poultry firm Venky’s, which is now in its 14th year, symbolically lobbed balls onto the field in the 14th minute.
The delay was brief and when the action resumed it was Blackburn who settled quicker.
Szmodics was the main Rovers dangerman and went close when he lashed a shot into the side-netting.
Tyrhys Dolan broke into the box and drew a good save from Dubravka, whose fingertip touch deflected the ball past Szmodics.
Szmodics then tried his luck from long range, finding only the keeper, before beating Fabian Schar and testing Dubravka again.
Newcastle offered little before the break aside from an angled Sean Longstaff strike which did not trouble Aynsley Pears.
Rovers started the second half the brighter and Dolan called Dubravka into action again with a firm strike from the edge of the area.
Newcastle manager Eddie
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