‘Very difficult’ - Andoni Iraola’s honest reaction to Newcastle United FA Cup defeat
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Newcastle United v Bournemouth: Andoni Iraola has reacted to his side’s penalty shootout defeat at St James’ Park in the FA Cup Third Round.
Newcastle United secured their place in the FA Cup Fourth Round following a penalty shootout victory over Bournemouth at St James’ Park.
Aaron Ramsdale’s save from Bafode Diakite, the 18th penalty of the shootout, sealed the win for the hosts. Harvey Barnes, their saviour on Wednesday night, appeared to have once again rescued a win for Newcastle United as he nodded past Djordje Petrovic in the final two minutes of extra-time.
However, Marcus Tavernier then nipped past Sven Botman and poked an effort under Ramsdale to send the game to a shootout. It would be the Magpies who ultimately came out on top of the lottery of a shootout and on the right side of yet another high scoring clash at St James’ Park.
For Andoni Iraola’s side, though, their FA Cup adventure came to an end having been just minutes away from sealing a win on Tyneside inside 90 minutes. They were denied that win by Anthony Gordon’s penalty in stoppage time of normal time after they had led following goals from Alex Scott and David Brooks.
Andoni Iraola’s instant reaction to Newcastle United defeat
To have led so late in normal time, and then to have seemingly rescued the tie deep into extra-time, Iraola’s side now face the very long trip back to the south coast having seen their hopes of lifting a first-ever FA Cup end in tatters. The Cherries have stumbled in the Premier League of late, although their win over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek did put an end to an alarming side down the table. Reflecting on his side’s FA Cup exit, Iraola said: “It's difficult to find a more FA Cup game than this one, I think, very difficult. Alternatives from both teams, we've been losing, we've been winning, we've been very close to winning it, we conceded 2-2 in the stoppage time.
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“I think we played also well the extra time, probably we missed two situations, one against one against the keeper, from Alex Jimenez and Alex Scott. Probably we should have done better but we found a way to score the 3-3 at the end.
“Then we go to the penalty shootout, we've been the ones out. I think even the penalties, 18 penalties. Proud of being part of this game, but through this you want to go to the next round, and this is what matters in the cup, and we are unfortunately out of the competition.”
He added: “I think we've given everything, both teams. I think we've had also during the week very difficult games.
“We played Spurs, we won at the last minute. Newcastle played against Leeds, they won at the last minute, so very hard games, and after those efforts to come here and play another 120 minutes, two teams that play at a high tempo, demanding physically way of playing, I suppose it has been an entertaining game, but they are the ones that finish obviously more happier than us.”
Bournemouth now have a nine day rest before their next match, a clash against Brighton in the Premier League. Newcastle United, though, have just three days to recover before they take on Manchester City in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.