Sports

Newcastle gets extra-time win

January 16, 2019
Newcastle United’s Callum Roberts celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates against Blackburn Rovers during a FA Cup third round replay at Ewood Park, Blackburn, Tuesday. — Reuters
Newcastle United’s Callum Roberts celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates against Blackburn Rovers during a FA Cup third round replay at Ewood Park, Blackburn, Tuesday. — Reuters

LONDON — Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 after extra time while Championship side Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as it suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays Tuesday.

Newcastle fans, who had seen their side narrowly escape defeat in the home match with Championship Blackburn, were given some respite from their top-flight struggles with a replay win against their fellow six-time FA Cup winners at Ewood Park.

Rafa Benitez’s much-changed side with a youthful streak had looked set to coast through when Sean Longstaff’s deflected shot put them ahead after 56 seconds and Callum Roberts volleyed home a second four years since his only other Newcastle appearance.

But Blackburn hit back through Adam Armstrong, a former Newcastle player and lifelong fan of the Magpies, and Darragh Lenihan’s header before halftime.

When the tie went into extra time at 2-2, Bradley Dack missed a great chance to put Blackburn ahead before goals from Joselu, who should have been ruled offside, and Ayoze Perez earned Newcastle a home tie with fellow top-flight side Watford.

Benitez praised his team’s commitment but was left counting the cost of the victory with defenders Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles suffering injuries.

There appeared no hope that Shrewsbury, 18th in League One, would follow the third-round giant-killings that had been dished out by Newport County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet, but against the odds they were the latest underdogs to snarl.

Tyrese Campbell, son of former Everton striker Kevin, scored twice in the first half for second-tier Stoke but three goals in the last 20 minutes for the Shrews served up another surprise.

James Bolton’s 20-meter strike began the fightback in the 71st minute before a penalty from Fejiri Okenabirhie and an 81st minute shot from Josh Laurent completed the fightback.

It earned Shrewsbury a glamor fourth round home tie with their neighbors, Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In Tuesday’s other replay, struggling Championship team Sheffield Wednesday came through another tough test at in-form third-tier side Luton Town, winning 1-0 with an Atdhe Nuhiu goal straight after the interval.

The Owls’ reward is a fourth round trip to Premier League Chelsea.

Valencia reaches quarters

Valencia’s Santi Mina struck twice as the struggling La Liga club reached the Copa del Rey quarterfinals by beating second-tier Sporting Gijon 3-0 Tuesday for a 4-2 aggregate win.

Valencia trailed 2-1 from the away leg and despite a late midweek kick off time supporters still flocked to the Mestalla stadium hoping to see their embattled team turn the tie around.

Marcelino’s side took the lead when Mina nodded them in front after 65 minutes with the help of a deflection.

The Spanish forward struck again 10 minutes later, sliding to the ground to meet a low cross from close range before Ferran Torres wrapped up the victory in added time on the counter.

The result gave Valencia welcome relief from a disappointing league campaign with the weekend 1-1 draw at home to Real Valladolid leaving them 11th in the standings.

It was joined in the last eight of the Spanish Cup by Getafe, who drew 1-1 at Valladolid to progress 2-1 on aggregate. — Reuters


January 16, 2019
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