Steve Bruce was not even born when Newcastle won their sixth FA Cup in 1955. But after a superb individual goal from the substitute Allan Saint-Maximin helped them edge past Oxford in extra time, despite a stirring comeback from the League One side, the veteran manager may just allow himself a moment to dream.
Like Newcastle, Bruce has unfinished business in this competition having seen his Hull team surrender a 2-0 lead in the 2014 final against Arsenal and he will know they were fortunate to come through this contest. The visitors had been cruising into the fifth round for the first time since 2006 with only six minutes left to play before a free-kick from substitute Liam Kelly, and Nathan Holland’s brilliant volley, turned this game on its head. With their owner, Mike Ashley, watching on in the stands, however, Saint-Maximin’s brilliant solo effort set up a trip to West Brom in the next round that will have their manager and all Newcastle supporters hoping it may finally be their year.
Written by Ed Aarons at the Kassam Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/04/oxford-newcastle-fa-cup-fourth-round-replay-match-report under the title “Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin sinks Oxford with stunning late winner”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
