AFTER 13 long years, the Toon Army can finally smell a cup run.
Starved of any recent excitement in the competition, Newcastle’s path for an unlikely shot at their first FA Cup since 1955 may have opened up.
Newcastle made it through the FA Cup fourth round in their replayCredit: Reuters
An Eoghan O’Connell own goal gave Newcastle the perfect startCredit: Getty
While fans have yearned for it to be taken seriously, the FA Cup has always been a second thought under previous managers.
But in Steve Bruce they may finally have the man who will give it the respect the Magpies faithful demand.
And in Joelinton Newcastle have a striker who has finally scored after 20 games and 1,672 long minutes.
Bruce is a local lad who counts Malcom Macdonald’s double in the 1974 semi-final win against Burnley as one of his best memories.
It may well have taken a replay to get past lowly Rochdale.
But with an injury-ravaged squad Bruce played all of his big guns, who did not disappoint in breezing past the League One side.
The reward for the Magpies in the fourth-round is a home tie against fellow minnows Oxford.
And if they can get the job done in the fourth-round they will be in the hat for the fifth-round draw for the first time since Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007.
Premier League survival has always been prioritised over the FA Cup by Bruce’s predecessors, including the idolised Rafael Benitez.
While Newcastle are by no means out of the relegation dogfight in the Premier League, Bruce will give this competition everything.
And with many supporters still unsure of the club’s head coach, what better way to bring them onside.
They sealed progression with three goals in 10 first-half minutes, with an own goal getting them on their way before strikes from Matty Longstaff and Miguel Almiron.
And £40million striker Joelinton wrapped up a near-perfect evening after 83 minutes.
After drawing 1-1 at Spotland there was no messing around from Bruce, fielding his strongest possible side with the exception of Karl Darlow in for Martin Dubravka between the sticks.
Matt Ritchie made his first start since August having required two operations on his ankle.
And skipper Jamaal Lascelles returned at the heart of the defence after a knee problem kept him out since November.
Veteran striker Aaron Wilbraham, 40, forced the replay after scoring off the bench last time out and was rewarded with a start.
And in front of just shy of 30,000 it was the visitors with the first effort, Jimmy Keohane firing narrowly wide from 25 yards.
Matty Longstaff scored Newcastle’s second goal after just 20 minutesCredit: Reuters
Almiron has now scored twice in 2020 already after just one in all of 2019 for NewcastleCredit: Reuters
In-form Almiron, playing up top alongside Joelinton, was quick into the game and saw a deflected shot hit the post after 15 minutes.
But the Magpies were ahead two minutes later after a calamitous own goal.
Matt Ritchie, making his first start since August, swung it in deep from the let towards Joelinton but Eoghan O’Connell stuck out a leg out to prod it into his own net.
With the early goal calming any nerves the floodgates opened and Bruce’s side were suddenly three up 10 minutes later.
Ritchie whipped it in from the left again and Matty Longstaff took a touch with his back to goal before it was deflected straight into his path for him to coolly slot home.
With the tie all but over the home fans were loving it, with the Gallowgate Corner belting out ‘Brucey, Brucey give us a wave’.
And they were home and hosed minutes later – after a shocker from Dale keeper Robert Sanchez.
Trying to play it out from the back, the hapless Spaniard, on loan from Brighton, passed it 10-yards straight to Almiron.
The Paraguayan, 25, could not quite believe his luck and took a touch before burying into the corner for his fourth goal in his last seven.
Sub Thomas Allan was sent down the right by fellow replacement Andy Carroll and laid it on a plate for the Brazilian to sweep home.
The ex-Hoffenheim man ran straight over and hugged Bruce, the relief palpable.
To their credit Rochdale hung on in there after being blitzed in the first-half and got a late consolation goal through Jordan Williams.
The second-half became an exercise in getting Joelinton the chances to finally score after 20 games and ensuring their lengthy injury list was not added to.
It didn’t look like it was going to be the Brazilian’s night, until the 83rd minute.
A relieved Joelinton even managed to find the net late onCredit: PA:Press Association
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
