SUPER POPE IS TOON SAVIOUR

World Cup hopeful shows his worth with a hat-trick of saves in shootout

- SIMON BIRD

NICK POPE was the Newcastle spot-kick hero, making a hat-trick of shootout saves as Eddie Howe's side aim to end their long trophy drought.

The England keeper made three sensational diving stops to dump Crystal Palace out and elevate Newcastle to one of the favourites for this cup.

Toon had won just one of their last 10 shootouts, but Pope was superb to rescue them after a drab 0-0 draw.

Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton all scored for the home side, while Pope pulled off a brilliant saves to stop Luka Milivojevic, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Malcolm Ebiowei.

Palace keeper Sam Johnstone got a palm to Sven Botman's effort to keep it out and Bruno Guimaraes blasted over, but Newcastle squeezed home 3-2. Howe will now be targeting a chance to end a long wait dating back to 1969 for a major trophy, especially as Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea all went out last night.