Newcastle United are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
It was not pretty of course but Eddie Howe’s side managed to overcome Championship Blackburn Rovers thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout in which Martin Dubravka stepped up. Indeed, it was actually the club’s first shootout win in the world’s oldest club competition and certainly came at a welcome time.
Losing at Ewood Park was not even worth thinking about. Thankfully, and while it wasn’t particularly convincing, Newcastle just about managed to get the job done.
For the neutral, it must have been some viewing. A monied club in Newcastle going away to a famous old ground and getting the run around from a team built on a relative shoestring is what the FA Cup is all about, albeit Toon fans will not much have enjoyed it.
It certainly wasn’t a spectacle for anyone connected to the club. Not even Sandro Tonali.
FA Cup: What Sandro Tonali was doing during Newcastle vs Blackburn
The Italian cannot play until into next season as a result of a ban due to breaches around betting rules. Still, he is involved in training and was even pictured hugging Bruno Guimaraes at Darsley Park last week.
According to The Chronicle, Tonali was seen on FaceTime with an individual in the away end last night. Scenes at full-time saw the Italy international on a phone screen after the ‘Sandro Ole’ chant was heard during the game.
Sandro Tonali: Big pressure on Newcastle star
While it’s all well and good seeing him watching the game, it will matter little if Tonali doesn’t impress when he returns.
With Bruno Guimaraes constantly linked away and Joelinton’s future also in doubt, a lot of pressure could fall on his shoulders in midfield. Ivan Toney’s form at Brentford has shown that players can hit the ground running after such a long ban, after all.
Sources at the club are believed to view Tonali’s ban as one of the biggest problems this season. Going forward, it’s up to him to make it up to the club.
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