Rafa rages as Ritchie is left to rescue tie

BY NEIL FASKIN RAFAEL BENITEZ has admitted an FA Cup replay was almost the last t hing he wanted after seeing Newcastle hit back late to deny Sky Bet Championship Blackburn a thirdround victory.

Matt Ritchie’s 85th-minute penalty spared the Premier League side’s blushes with a 1-1 draw after Bradley Dack had headed the visitors in front at St James’ Park, although another game was not on Benitez’s wish-list as he attempts to keep the club in the top flight.

Asked if a replay was the worst possible scenario, he replied: “Yes, in terms of another game, another situation that you have to manage with more minutes, more players, more risk.

“I am not happy with another game. I would prefer to win this game and that’s it. But if you cannot, at least you have another chance and then try to win the next one.”

Benitez saw a team featuring eight changes to the one that started against Manchester United in midweek turn a disjointed display as it attempted to avoid a seventh third round exit since controversial owner Mike Ashley took over almost 12 years ago.

On a day when takeover speculation and the prospect of another frustrating transfer window were among the main talking points, they rescued themselves in the nick of time to leave their manager at least able to take some positives.

Benitez said: “Some young players playing, some players who have not been playing having 90 minutes under their belts, the reaction of the team after we conceded and [Florian] Lejeune coming back after four-and-ahalf months with a serious injury. “Those are positives.”

If Benitez’s relief at avoiding a ninth defeat in 12 home games this season was tempered by the prospect of a replay a matter of days before a crunch league clash with fellow strugglers Cardiff on Tyneside, opposite number Tony Mowbray headed back to Lancashire wondering what might have been.

He said: “The dressing room is very quiet, very disappointed. We couldn’t really see Newcastle scoring tonight, to be honest, and yet maybe fatigue, I’m not sure, but a soft penalty – I haven’t seen it back but VAR, obviously, confirmed it as a penalty, so we’ll accept it.

“It’s just disappointing. The team that you saw tonight is the team that’s just coming off the back of playing the top four in the Championship backto-back – Norwich, Leeds, Sheffield United and West Brom – and that’s the sort of performance-level we’ve given, really hard-working, honest.

“We obviously could do with a bit more quality as we move the club forward if we’re going to try to get out of this division, of course. The Championship, there are some massive clubs in there.

“But we have got a great spirit and togetherness and camaraderie and it takes us a long way, and I thought that was evident today.”

Elsewhere, boss Ralph Hasenhuttl accused Southampton of complacency after they blew a 2-0 lead at Derby.

Jack Marriott and Tom Lawrence scored quickfire second-half goals to earn the Rams a 2-2 draw and a thirdround replay.

Nathan Redmond’s stunner had put the Saints 2-0 up after Richard Keogh deflected in his early drive for the opener.

But the teams must meet again at St Mary’s and Hasenhuttl was upset at his Premier League side’s collapse.

“They felt too comfortable after 2-0 because it was a very good performance until that moment,” he said.

“After the break the opposition tried to play more long balls because there was no way to go through our midfield pressing.

“For a long time we didn’t give chances away and at 2-0 they were too sure they would win the game.

“It’s a pity we didn’t win. Now we have another game and it’s not something we want to have.

“We didn’t want this game. We had a good chance to go through and we gave it away. We have to do it again with more concentration and more passion until the end.”