(Football news) Despite being the team with more threat against their Premier League opponents in the first half, Blackburn was unable to capitalize on the opportunities they produced.

Then, in the 71st minute, Anthony Gordon scored his first-ever FA Cup goal, breaking the scoreless draw for Eddie Howe’s team. As evidenced by the fact that Rovers trailed for only eight minutes when Sammie Szmodics calmly converted a rebound to send the thrilling match into overtime.

Martin Dubravka made two crucial saves to take Newcastle to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019–20 as the teams were unable to come to an agreement in the extra thirty minutes, forcing a penalty shootout to settle the fifth-round match.

Newcastle travelled to Ewood Park looking for a positive response after falling to a heavy 4-1 defeat in Saturday’s away meeting with Arsenal.

However, it was the hosts rather than the Magpies who carved out the most promising chance of the opening half-hour, with Szmodics firing into the side-netting after being teed up by John Buckley.

Blackburn then threatened through Tyrhys Dolan, who saw his driven strike pushed behind by the right hand of Dubravka.

After being put on the back foot by their Championship hosts, Newcastle offered their own threat in the 33rd minute when Sean Longstaff saw his near-post strike kept out by Aynsley Pears.

The dangerous Szmodics created one final chance of the first period, working the space to unleash a fierce left-footed strike which forced Dubravka to tip over the 

crossbar.

With Buckley forcing a superb save from the extended Dubravka, Rovers strengthened the momentum from their impressive first-half display to open the second half on the right note.

Newcastle started to gain momentum in the second half when Kyle McFadzean stopped Jamaal Lascelles’ header on the line after the player leaped high from Kieran Trippier’s corner.

A fantastic one-on-one chance came Gordon’s way, but the forward could only direct his shot straight at the unwavering Pears. 

Also read: Manchester City thrash Luton and win 6-2