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Newcastle United player ratings vs Blackburn Rovers: 'Unimpressive' 4/10 & 'rusty' 5/10 in FA Cup win

Newcastle United player ratings vs Blackburn Rovers: Martin Dubravka the hero as Magpies win 4-3 on penalties to advance into the last eight of the FA Cup.

Newcastle United advanced into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for only the second time in 18 years following a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

Following Harvey Barnes' miss, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was the hero after saving Sammie Szmodics and Dom Hyam's efforts. Eddie Howe's side can look forward to Wednesday night's last eight draw, although will know their performance leaves a lot to be desired.

Howe made five changes from Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal. Sven Botman was rested so Jamaal Lascelles partnered Fabian Schar in central defence.

Martin Dubravka replaced Loris Karius in net after recovering from illness while Dan Burn, Joe Willock - making his first start since November - and Jacob Murphy came in for Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley and Miguel Almiron.

Newcastle have had 68% possession in the first-half but struggled to ask questions of the Blackburn defence. The hosts registered the two best chances with Dubravka denying both Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics.

A similar theme continued at the beginning of the second-half but the introduction of Miguel Almiron worked a treat when he set up Gordon's opener in the 71st minute.

United pushed for a second but ended up conceding when a quick throw down the right saw Armor Sigurdsson break forward. Dilan Markanday's shot hit the crossbar before Szmodics fired home the loose ball.

And so it went to extra-time, and then penalties. Newcastle led 1-0 in the shootout after Fabian Schar scored and Dubravka denied Szmodics' but Barnes' miss and Callum Brittain's conversion levelled it up.

Bruno Guimaraes, Arnor Sigurdsson, Elliot Anderson and Yasin Ayari then kept their cool before Dubravka denied Dom Hyam after Gordon scored as United won 4-3.

Our writer Jordan Cronin was at Ewood Park and here are his Newcastle United player ratings:

Howe made five changes from Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal. Sven Botman was rested so Jamaal Lascelles partnered Fabian Schar in central defence.

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