Shoot-out hero Pope talk of the Toon

NICK POPE was Newcastle’s spot-kick hero, making a hat-trick of shoot-out saves as Eddie Howe’s side grasped their Carabao Cup chance.

The England keeper made three sensational diving stops to dump Palace out and elevate Toon to one of the favourites to win this cup.

Newcastle had won just one penalty shootout in their last 10, but Pope was brilliant to rescue them after a drab goalless draw. Howe was targeting this cup chance, and a bid to end a trophy drought dating back to 1969.

But he rested key players and made eight changes to the side who started in the 4-1 win at Southampton with Kieran Trippier (left), Miggy Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes on the bench.

After a flat first hour Howe summoned his big guns, in the shape of World Cup-bound trio Trippier, Guimaraes and Sven Botman.

But they couldn’t force a breakthrough and Pope stepped up to send Toon through.