Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SUPER POPE IS TOON SAVIOUR
World Cup hopeful shows his worth with a hat-trick of saves in shootout
NICK POPE was the Newcastle spot-kick hero, making a hat-trick of shootout saves as Eddie Howe’s side aim to end their long trophy drought.
The England keeper made three sensational diving stops to dump Crystal Palace out and elevate Newcastle to one of the favourites for this cup.
Toon had won just one of their last 10 shootouts, but Pope was superb to rescue them after a drab 0-0 draw.
Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton all scored for the home side, while Pope pulled off a brilliant saves to stop Luka Milivojevic, Jean-philippe Mateta and Malcolm Ebiowei.
Palace keeper Sam Johnstone got a palm to Sven Botman’s effort to keep it out and Bruno Guimaraes blasted over, but Newcastle squeezed home 3-2. Howe will now be targeting a chance to end a long wait dating back to 1969 for a major trophy, especially as Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea all went out last night.
He rested key players and made eight changes to the side who started in the 4-1 win at Southampton with talisman Kieran Trippier, Miggy Almiron and Guimaraes on the bench.
After a flat first hour Howe summoned his big guns from the bench, with the World Cup-bound trio of Trippier, Guimaraes and Botman sent on. Palace left Wilfried Zaha at home but Jean-philippe Mateta was dangerous, rifling in a shot from the left which England keeper Pope saved well.
St James’ Park was a 51,660 sell-out the highest ever on Tyneside for a league cup tie, such is the thirst to see Howe’s side, and the reinvigorating qualities of being third in the Premier League and on a charge. The disruption to the usual line-up meant Newcastle were subdued in attack and lacking their usual bite.
Teenage academy product
Elliot Anderson did get a crisp shot off after neat control and a turn to show his potential on his first home start.
He also forced a header on goal that was tipped wide by Johnstone, and Newcastle raised it a gear after the break.
The home side were on a run of six wins in seven games which has raised hopes of qualifying for Europe next season, but a cup win would be a quicker route.
Dan Burn had a glorious headed chance which he powered into the ground and straight at Johnstone. Palace were solid but lacked a killer pass and went long too often.
The substitutions lifted Newcastle, and the visitors’ intensity dropped in the last half hour, with only inexperience on the bench.
The harsh truth was the 90 minutes was low quality and lacking inspiration. Even Almiron, scorer of seven in seven, couldn’t finish when clear, Johnstone saving his tame shot as the match fizzled out – but Toon were soon celebrating the penalty success.