Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is delighted still being alive in the FA Cup.

A penalty shootout saw Newcastle win their Fifth Round tie against Blackburn Rovers last night after the score had finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Howe said: "It's always the way - it was the way of our run in the Carabao Cup last year: there were no easy games in that run but we built momentum in the competition.

"This year our cup draws have been so difficult. You look at the Carabao Cup, we drew all of the top teams [Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea] and we did well to get as far as we did and unfortunately lost out in a shootout in that [competition].

"So it was nice to get through a shootout today after what happened at Chelsea.

"It was a proper cup tie and it means everything to us. It was really tough - I thought Blackburn played well and made it really difficult for us to penetrate them and break them down.

"They were also a threat the other way and our goalkeeper made a couple of really good saves in open play during the game, but as did their keeper - it was an even contest and we are delighted to get through."