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Back in Tyne: Five memorable wins at Ewood Park
Written by Luke Vinton
Newcastle United face Blackburn Rovers in an FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm GMT), with the Magpies aiming to book a fourth round clash against Watford at St. James' Park. Here, we take a look at some of the Magpies' most memorable trips to Ewood Park...
Saha strike sends United into FA Cup quarters (1999)
On-loan striker Louis Saha scored the only goal as Newcastle defeated Rovers in a fifth round FA Cup replay following a goalless draw at St. James' Park in February 1999.
After Alan Shearer's late withdrawal through flu, the French forward scored eight minutes before the end of the first half as Ruud Gullit's side went on to reach the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium that year, losing 2-0 to Manchester United's treble-winning side.
Shearer brace seals successive quarter-final spot (2000)
One year later, United met Blackburn once again at the same stage of the prestigious competition and it was the visitors who claimed a 2-1 away win courtesy of a double from Newcastle's legendary number nine.
Shearer, who won the Premier League title with Rovers in 1995, came back to haunt his former club by scoring twice - once in each half - to secure the Magpies' place in the last eight.
United, then managed by the great Sir Bobby Robson, progressed to the last four in their hunt for a third consecutive FA Cup final. Sadly, the Magpies were beaten 2-1 by eventual cup winners Chelsea at Wembley, in what remains their most recent appearance at the national stadium in a major cup tournament.
Owen breaks duck as United rip Rovers apart (2005)
Following a clinical display of finishing, the Magpies secured a first win of their 2005-06 Premier League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
After a goalless hour, two goals in the space of four minutes from Shearer and Michael Owen, his first in Newcastle colours, gave United clear breathing space before Charles N'Zogbia wrapped up the win for Graeme Souness' side five minutes from time.
Obafemi double beats ten-man Blackburn (2006)
Obafemi Martins was the star of the show as the striker scored twice to secure another three points for Newcastle at Ewood Park.
The Nigerian opened the scoring before Steven Taylor doubled the Magpies' lead. United's advantage increased further when Blackburn's Stephane Henchoz was sent off before half-time for wrestling Martins to the ground, but Morten Gamst Pedersen managed to pull one back for the Lancashire club in the opening minutes of the second half.
However, United restricted Rovers' attacking threat late on before Martins broke away from 40 yards, rolling the ball into an empty net during stoppage time.
Super sub Obertan sends United fifth (2012)
Blackburn must have been sick of the sight of United during the 2011-12 campaign as the Magpies recorded their third win in four matches in as many months over the former Premier League champions.
After knocking out Rovers in the FA Cup third round as well as achieving a 3-1 league win at St. James' Park in September, United added more misery for the home side with a 2-0 victory in February.
After an early own goal from Rovers' Scott Dann, David Dunn saw a penalty saved by Tim Krul before Gabriel Obertan came off the bench to seal the victory in the dying moments as the Magpies finished their top-flight campaign in fifth place, qualifying for the Europa League.
Highlights