League One side Sheffield Wednesday have pulled off the shock of the FA Cup third round to knock Newcastle United out of the competition.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The South Yorkshire outfit scored twice in 14 minutes to pull off a major shock to knock Newcastle out of the FA Cup 12 months on from their defeat against Cambridge United.
Josh Windass scored a brace and the woodwork denied him a hat-trick as Wednesday registered one of ther best results in recent memory.
Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back for Newcastle and Chris Wood missed a sitter to draw level, but it was a first defeat in 16 games in all competitions, going back to August.
Eddie Howe wanted to progress as he brought on his big guns to try and save the game, but with a Carabao Cup quarter-final to come on Tuesday and a Premier League top four race to contend with, their demise here might not be such a bad thing in the bigger picture.
For Wednesday this result, as much due to the heroics of goalkeeper Cameron Dawson as Windass’ goals, continues their feelgood factor as they look to supplement their League One promotion push with a cup run.
Newcastle’s first taste of what might be in store for them came when Dawson produced a fine stop to deny Alexander Isak a goal on his first appearance since September.
The Magpies created an overlap down the right and Javier Manquillo’s cross was begging to be put away by the Sweden striker, but he put his header too close to Dawson, who clawed it away.
Dawson again had to be alert to deny Isak, saving a low drilled effort with his legs after another clever pass from Manquillo.
Newcastle were in control and continued to create chances as Manquillo pulled back for Matt Ritchie, whose miscued effort looped over and then Jacob Murphy could not get his lobbed effort on target after being sent clear by Ritchie.
Newcastle had further chances soon after the restart as Mark McGuinness did brilliantly to block Chris Wood’s effort and then Sven Botman drilled wide from distance.
However, it was Wednesday who took the lead against the run of play in the 52nd minute.
Some superb play by George Byers opened the pitch up and, after working the ball out to the right, Windass was on hand to turn Dennis Adeniran’s cross home from close range.
Replays suggested he was in an offside position but with VAR not in operation Wednesday were able to celebrate.
Newcastle should have instantly responded, but they found that Dawson was having a day to remember.
He produced a brilliant stop to keep out Anderson effort after a loose ball fell to the Newcastle midfielder eight yards out and then was alert to tip over Murphy’s swerving shot from distance.
And those stops proved pivotal as the Owls doubled their lead in the 66th minute, with Windass grabbing his second.
He was played in by Michael Smith and made no mistake, firing past Martin Dubravka to send Hillsborough wild.
But Newcastle were able to find an instant response this time as it was their turn to be grateful for the lack of VAR.
Guimaraes was in a clear offside position as he poked home from close range after Dawson had kept out Wood’s header from a corner.
The final 15 minutes were an onslaught, barring Windass’ brilliant free-kick attempt, and Newcastle will feel they had enough chances to at least earn a replay.
Joe Willock had a shot blocked at the far post, but their golden opportunity came in the 82nd minute as Joelinton surged forward and teed up Wood who, with the goal gaping, inexplicably skied over to sum up Newcastle’s night.
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