Newcastle scramble a rematch in worst possible result for Benitez
It was an equaliser they barely deserved, but it was celebrated as wildly as any goal scored by Newcastle United this season. Nobody else at the club seems bothered anymore, but at least the supporters still care about the FA Cup as their team just about avoided yet another premature exit.
Newcastle have not taken cup competitions seriously since Mike Ashley became owner 12 years ago, and manager Rafa Benitez has made no attempt to hide the fact he will not play his strongest side in the competition when Premier League survival is the priority.
The Spaniard made eight changes to the team here, and none of those who came in impressed. In many cases, like wingers Kenedy and Jacob Murphy, who continuously coughed up possession, they did the opposite.
Benitez suggested a replay was the worst-case scenario because it means “more minutes, more risk” but denied he would rather have lost. He is treading a thin line. Few managers would get away with the things he has said recently, not least the “It will be a miracle if we stay up” moan after a draw with Fulham last month.
“I’m disappointed we have to play another game, but at least the reaction to falling behind was good,” said Benitez. “Some young players got some experience, but we didn’t play at the level I was hoping for.”
As much as Newcastle fans want a cup run – they have not been beyond the fourth round since 2006 – those in charge seem keener to avoid one. That ambivalence transmits to the players, particularly when so many of those who started against Blackburn spend most of their time on the fringes.
Despite the relief of Matt Ritchie’s penalty goal with five minutes left, this was an utterly underwhelming Newcastle performance. They looked to be heading out of the cup in the third round for the eighth time in 13 years after falling behind to Bradley Dack’s excellent header. Dack was playing for Gillingham, in League Two, 18 months ago, but he took his goal superbly, nipping in behind young defender Jamie Sterry to get on the end of a pinpoint cross from Elliott Bennett.
The goal gave Rovers a surge in confidence, and they were only denied a second by a goalline clearance from Javier Manquillo after Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman – who looked vulnerable at every corner – had flapped at a cross.
In a game that teetered on the brink of boring for most of the first half, Newcastle had the better chances without playing the better football.
Rovers were bright and clever when they had the ball. They also had a decent chance before the break, former Sunderland striker Danny Graham mis-hitting a half-volley.
However, Newcastle did gradually build up a head of steam after falling behind and were unfortunate not to equalise when both Jonjo Shelvey and Fabian Schar had efforts cleared off the line, the latter a miraculous block by Graham, who somehow got the ball away and over the bar.
The worrying thing for Newcastle, though, is that it would not have been a shock if they had lost here. Benitez will almost certainly play the same team in the replay next week, and a defeat is a distinct possibility because of it.
“The dressing room is very quiet. We couldn’t see Newcastle scoring,” said Rovers boss Tony Mowbray. “We were a League One side last year, but we have outplayed Newcastle for 85 minutes. Maybe it was fatigue at the end. It was a soft penalty.”