Newcastle United are into the quarter finals of the FA Cup, and it is largely down to one man.
The Magpies beat Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Tuesday night, but needed penalties to get past the Championship side.
Anthony Gordon had given Newcastle the lead, but Blackburn were able to get a sharp equaliser. The FA Cup clash went to extra time, and even that could not separate the two sides.
In the end, it went all the way to penalties, where Eddie Howe’s side won 4-3. Martin Dubravka was the hero for Newcastle, making two saves to put his side into the next round of the competition.
The £4million man was back after missing Arsenal due to illness, and proved his worth with a wonderful display. He got the job done in the penalty shootout, while he also made some key saves during the game.
Alan Shearer says Martin Dubravka was Newcastle’s best player vs Blackburn
Dubravka was excellent, and was named as Newcastle United’s best player on Tuesday night by Alan Shearer, who was on punditry duty for BBC One.
“He’s [Dubravka] been their best player tonight,” he said.
“Pulled some wonderful saves off during 90 minutes and in extra time. And of course he’s made two saves from penalties. They owe him a huge debt. They are in the next round because of him.”
Dubravka is the FA Cup hero for Newcastle
Shearer is spot on about the Slovakia international. Newcastle United, who were without Sven Botman against Blackburn Rovers, would not be in the next round of the 2023/24 FA Cup if it was not for Dubravka’s efforts in between the sticks.
Even before the penalties, he was spectacular. He kept the Magpies in the game at times, which sums up how poor Howe’s side were at Ewood Park.
But they got the job done, as they avoided a second penalty shootout exit this season. Dubravka came up trumps at the end, making two saves from 12 yards to ensure Newcastle are in the final eight of this year’s FA Cup.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
