Newcastle United

The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals has been made, with the ties set to be played on the weekend of Saturday, 16 March.

We asked you for your thoughts on Tuesday's FA Cup tie between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. Here are some of your comments...

Kegs: Awful performance which papers over the cracks. Newcastle have morphed into a boring, passive, backwards and sideways passing team. Without Joelinton Newcastle have no drive or competence in midfield. Eddie Howe must be worried for his job if we don't win the cup and continue our fall down the league.

Peter: Honestly having a hard time celebrating that win. That was a disgraceful performance. So passive and sloppy in the first half, a shambolic piece of defending to let them back in and fluffing chances left, right and centre. Only a near POTM performance from our second-string keeper saw us through.

Reece: Newcastle definitely are not the same team they were last season. I think Blackburn played well and proved to be a challenge. Some more of the chances should have been taken. All in all, a win is a win - and now Newcastle are through to FA Cup quarter finals, which is great!

Richard: I wish I could say I'm making my way home full of confidence for the next round but I'd by lying. I'd take a home draw against anyone, I suppose, but unless we somehow get our collective mojo back then our grit and determination will not be enough. I'd be very happy to be wrong, though.

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Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock says Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe "will be delighted with his team" for digging deep against Blackburn Rovers and "getting over the line".

"Newcastle weren't that great and you can put that down to how well Blackburn played and how well organised they were," said Warnock on the Football Daily podcast after the Magpies' penalty shootout victory at Ewood Park in the FA Cup fifth round.

"Howe will be absolutely delighted with his team because they got over the line - and sometimes it doesn't matter how you do it. It shows character within the squad and that's what he will be happy with."

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was Newcastle's hero at Ewood Park, pushing Dominic Hyam's penalty on to the post after also saving Sammie Szmodics effort.

"He was outstanding," added former Blackburn, Blackpool and Charlton manager Michael Appleton. "He made a save just towards the end from Szmodics with his feet and it summed up his performance.

"It was left down to him to make that big save and get them through."

Hear the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Listen back to full BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Blackburn v Newcastle on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United and Tottenham are keen on 25-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt striker Omar Marmoush, who has scored 10 goals in 18 Bundesliga games this season. (Bild, via Shields Gazette), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Newcastle moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals, but did it the hard way as they scraped past Championship side Blackburn Rovers in a dramatic penalty shootout in a fifth-round thriller at Ewood Park.

With the Magpies down in 10th in the league, the FA Cup remains their best chance of qualifying again for Europe after they came fourth in the Premier League last year to get into the Champions League after a 20-year absence.

But Blackburn, 16th in the Championship and without a win in four matches, pushed Eddie Howe's side to the limit.

Rovers outplayed their visitors in the first half, before Anthony Gordon put Newcastle ahead after 71 minutes, although the lead only lasted eight minutes. The dangerous Sammie Szmodics equalised and Blackburn nearly won it in the third minute of injury-time only for Martin Dubravka to keep them in the cup.

Both sides had chances in a breathless extra-time period, before it went to spot-kicks, with Dubravka the hero by saving efforts from Szmodics and Dominic Hyam to take Newcastle through.

All eyes will now turn to the quarter-final draw on Wednesday, before the Chelsea versus Leeds tie, with Newcastle one game away from Wembley and still in with the chance to salvage something special from a difficult campaign.

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think there is only one emotion and that is relief. I think it was a hard-fought cup tie. Both sides gave everything to get the win and didn't give an inch but we are delighted to be in the hat for the next round.

"They packed the backline and packed the midfield so it was difficult for us to penetrate them. It could have been better but we got that first goal and it was a really well-worked goal.

"The lads kept their heads and remained calm and I think every penalty was taken well.

"I think when you see the season we have had and the situation we are in, this was never going to be an easy cup tie. Martin [Dubravka] made some great saves that we needed him to make and we also missed some golden opportunities in the final third.

"The most important thing is that our season cracks on and we are thrilled to get through to the next round."

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Newcastle United matchwinner Martin Dubravka speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a very difficult match. A lot of chances on both sides and all of a sudden we had penalties. It is a lottery but I am glad I could help the team."

On the penalty shootout: "I think we were well prepared. We analyse everything and try to bring it on the pitch. I need to mention the goalkeeper coaches who make it much easier for me."

On the impact of the result: "I hope it will lift our confidence. We needed a lift after the Arsenal game and we created a lot of chances. We have to take the positives and we are in the next round and we are looking forward to it."

Here are the key facts and figures from Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round game between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

• Newcastle United have progressed from each of their past nine FA Cup fifth round ties, since losing to Blackburn in February 1993.

• Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their past eight FA Cup clashes with Premier League opposition (D3 L4), courtesy of a 2-1 win against Leicester last season in the fifth round.

• Newcastle enjoyed only their fifth penalty victory in their 17th penalty shoot-out in all competitions, while they registered their first shoot-out win in the FA Cup at the third time of asking.

• Newcastle's Anthony Gordon scored his first-ever FA Cup goal in his 10th appearance in the competition, with him netting his second goal in three games in all competitions, as many as he managed in the 16 before that.

Newcastle beat Blackburn in a dramatic penalty shootout to edge into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a pulsating fifth-round tie at Ewood Park.

Martin Dubravka was Newcastle's hero, pushing Dominic Hyam's penalty on to the post after also saving from Sammie Szmodics, who had earlier scored in normal time.

Harvey Barnes missed his spot-kick for the Premier League side, but Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon scored their attempts to take them through.

Were you at Ewood Park or did you follow the match from elsewhere?

Let us know your thoughts on the game here

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There are three games being played in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

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The draw for the quarter finals of the FA Cup will take place on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT, before Chelsea's tie with Leeds United, which kicks off at 19:30.

It will be live on ITV4 and you can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

Former England goalkeeper David Seaman, a four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, will conduct the draw.

The ball numbers will be:

1. Blackburn Rovers or Newcastle United

2. Chelsea or Leeds United

3. Bournemouth or Leicester City

4. Liverpool or Southampton

5. Nottingham Forest or Manchester United

6. Wolverhampton Wanderers or Brighton & Hove Albion

7. Coventry City

8. Luton Town or Manchester City

BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for this week's FA Cup fifth-round ties. For all eight games he is up against Kaiser Chiefs bassist and Leeds United fan Simon Rix.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

I scored in an FA Cup tie for Blackburn against Newcastle a few years ago. It was a wonderful finish, but we ended up losing in a replay, and I can see the Magpies getting through this time too.

Blackburn drew at the weekend in the 'Chris Sutton derby' against my first club, Norwich, but they are yet to win in four games under new manager John Eustace, and I don't see him getting a first victory here.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe really needs the FA Cup now to recover a bit of faith with the fans after some disappointing results, including their heavy defeat by Arsenal on Saturday.

Howe's side should win because they have got the superior players and I actually feel as if they will run away with this one a little bit.

Simon's prediction: 0-2

Newcastle really need to do something in the FA Cup this season - they are out of Europe as well as losing in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and they are not doing so well in the league. So, I can see them putting out a strong side and I don't see Blackburn coping with it.

See the full list of predictions here

Matty Renton
Fan writer

It was another miserable trip to the capital for the Geordies at the weekend, witnessing one of the worst performances since the takeover in my opinion.

The Emirates is truly my least favourite away day now. The Toon Army have not celebrated a win there since 2010. On a positive note, at least we got to celebrate a goal. Joe Willock scored a consolation for Newcastle, the first Magpie to score there since 2014!

Attention now thankfully turns to the FA Cup, and a tasty trip to Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday for more than 7,000 Newcastle fans. This competition is surely the priority now for Eddie Howe. Yes, a European spot is still achievable for the club, even after slipping down to ninth in the Premier League table. However, why not win the FA Cup for the first time in more than 70 years and get European qualification that way?

It feels like inconsistent league form marred with too many draws makes it a difficult task to attain a top-six finish this year. Therefore, the FA Cup provides a wonderful opportunity to get back to Wembley.

It's been a year since the Toon Army took over London on Carabao Cup final weekend. That trip really whet my appetite for more memories this year. If Newcastle beat Blackburn, they will be into the quarter-finals and only one game away from returning to Wembley for a semi-final.

A huge game awaits at Ewood Park, one Howe and his players cannot afford to lose.

Matty Renton can be found at The Magpie Channel TV, external

Here are the key facts and figures before Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United:

• Blackburn have been eliminated from seven of their nine FA Cup ties against Newcastle, including each of the past five in a row. The most recent was a 4-2 home defeat in a third-round replay in 2018-19.

• Newcastle have won their past two meetings with Blackburn in all competitions. They most recently won three in a row against Rovers between 1966 and 1979.

• Blackburn are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final in consecutive campaigns for the first time since 1927-28/1928-29. They reached the last eight last season by beating Premier League opposition in the fifth round (2-1 v Leicester).

• Newcastle have progressed from each of their past eight FA Cup fifth-round ties, most recently against West Bromwich Albion in 2019-20.

• Newcastle have won 3-0 at Sunderland and 2-0 at Fulham in this season's FA Cup. They most recently won three matches in a row in the competition between rounds three and five in the 2005-06 campaign.

We asked you for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Kevin: This is what happens when we play forward, we win games. Last weeks' match against Porto was a shambles. More attacking play as teams cannot handle it. Well done lads.

Oli: What a performance! Dominant, commanding and worthy of a team well in the title race. Let’s just hope we don’t get told off for celebrating when we scored a goal…great night!

Pheonix: It's amazing to see how we've been blowing teams apart since the start of the year, hopefully we can continue until the last game of the season. Can't wait for Porto on the 12th of March.

Brian: Great performance by the boys. Need to maintain this aggressive attitude for the remainder of the season because City and Liverpool will be doing the same. Need to keep believing they are as good as the top two.

Newcastle fans

Scott: Sadly Arsenal taught us a bit of a football lesson, we somehow still don't have the tactical awareness to plug the gaping hole between our two centre-backs and our midfield three. We desperately miss Joelinton although Willock made a great return. If we tighten up our soft centre, I believe a run of good results could happen. Just believe.

Marc: We have to accept that we are still miles away from teams like Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool. We are two or three windows away from possibly closing the gap. We are still carrying far too many players who are nowhere near the level we are hoping to be. I never expected immediate success, well aware these things take time, I have trust in the process.

Alan: Worst performance of the season - what has happened to last season's team with the best defence in the Premier League?

John: It's no disgrace to lose to such a quality team. We did our best. We have to win games against lesser quality teams.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before facing Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round at Ewood Park on Tuesday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe said he hopes goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will be available for selection but he does not yet know if he will be. He added that Loris Karius, who played against Arsenal, "did OK" in a "very difficult performance for the team".

• Both Elliot Anderson and Matt Targett are "close to returning", with Howe stating: "They're getting there. It's been a long road for both of them. Matt's injury was quite clear cut, a bad tear in his hamstring and an operation. Elliot's had a very, very difficult injury because he felt OK but the scan said it was a stress fracture in his back so he had to give it a lot of rest."

• First-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is "still very much gym-based" and remains "a number of weeks away" from being available for selection.

• Howe is happy to have Alexander Isak and Joe Willock back: "I was delighted with Joe's return, I thought he looked really good when he came on. He scored a typical Joe Willock goal which was great to see. Alex got 60 good minutes into his legs and that will do him the world of good."

• On facing Blackburn: "It's a huge game for us. We're absolutely committed to the FA Cup to do well and have been all season. We've had two difficult games away from home to get to this stage and now another one. We've been looking forward to this game so we know how important it is."

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The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes Newcastle have "real problems" in defence and are "struggling" in midfield.

The Magpies were overrun by Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Saturday and have slipped to eighth - two points off Brighton in the final European qualification place.

"When they come up against teams like Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, Newcastle are struggling," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They are particularly struggling with that midfield three, without the physicality of Joelinton in there.

"The balance for me isn't right, (Lewis) Miley and (Sean) Longstaff are very, very similar. They're probably a yard short of the pace the Arsenal midfield have.

"Arsenal looked stronger, faster, sharper and they dominated that area in particular.

"Bruno Guimaraes had a poor game, he needs legs around him.

"The big worry is the defence. It's 20 goals conceded in eight games so far this year in the league, 31 in 12 since Nick Pope's injury.

"They've got real problems at the back and that is going to derail their season. Not necessarily their midfield, although it gets bypassed too easily, the defence is the real problem."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds