Newcastle survive penalty drama to progress to FA Cup Fourth Round
Eddie Howe’s side defeated South Coast opposition AFC Bournemouth 7-6 on penalties, after a 3-3 draw in the Third Round of the FA Cup at St. James’ Park.
Thirteen goals in two matches at St. James Park. Seven scored by Newcastle United and six by their respective opponents, Leeds United and AFC Bournemouth. Entertaining? Yes. Chaotic? Certainly. Nervy? Very much so.
After edging past Leeds United in the Premier League by four goals to three in midweek, the Magpies played out a hectic 3-3 draw against the Cherries in the FA Cup Third Round. Comparisons were drawn to Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers against Leeds, and they were made again against Bournemouth.
The Magpies won on spot kicks, with Aaron Ramsdale making the decisive save in a shootout which, once again, demonstrated the dire nature of slow and stuttered run ups when taking penalties. What was wrong with bursting the top corner of the net from twelve yards?
Before any of that drama, with the score goalless at half time, it was very hard to see the excitement of the Leeds match being repeated, but as has been said and written far too many times, football is, indeed, a funny old game.
Newcastle did find the lead through Harvey Barnes early in the second period, but were then on the verge of exiting the cup in normal time with Bournemouth having managed to turn the game round in just six short minutes. Once again though, it was the late show for the Magpies, with Anthony Gordon this time netting from the penalty spot to send the game into extra time.
An extra 30 minutes is something Newcastle could have done without given their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola’s side managed to just about get past League One Exeter City in their Third Round tie, winning 10-1.
Hopes of anything even remotely as comfortable for Newcastle were long gone with the game into its extra period. The thought of penalties was fast becoming a real possibility, which ultimately came to be, but not how anyone expected.
Another Harvey Barnes goal, this time in the 118th minute looked to have won the tie for the Magpies. But then in the 122nd minute, Marcus Tavernier got goalside of Sven Botman and poked the ball past an onrushing Aaron Ramsdale, who had been too slow to react initially. The game had gone from 2-2 to 3-3 in around four minutes.
Penalties it was then, and once again Newcastle looked to be going out, with misses from Nick Woltemade and Bruno Guimarães. The hero would be Aaron Ramsdale though, who made up for his earlier error by making three saves in the shootout, with the clincher being from the effort of Bafodé Diakité.
There was relief at full time, but also frustration that Newcastle had to go to this length to progress. It will certainly be a concern for Eddie Howe that his side have been so vulnerable in defence in their last two matches, but the Magpies managed to prevail in both games, highlighting that their attacking prowess is very healthy.
From one domestic cup to the next now for Newcastle, but they will be pleased that they are still competing on four fronts this season.