Newcastle and Blackburn in semis

Published March 14, 2005

LONDON, March 13: Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert fired Newcastle United into the FA Cup semifinals with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while Blackburn Rovers also squeezed through 1-0 against Leicester.

Kluivert, neatly set up by captain Alan Shearer, coolly finished into the far corner after five minutes at St James’ Park in a game that finished with a rousing end-to-end finale.

Striker Paul Dickov converted an 83rd minute penalty to give Blackburn a scrappy victory over his old club, securing their first appearance in the last four since 1960.

The winning teams joined holders Manchester United, who thrashed Southampton 4-0 in their quarterfinal on Saturday, and Arsenal, who beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0, in Monday’s draw.

Next month’s semifinals, along with the final on May 21, will all be played at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.—Reuters