Josh Windass scored twice as League One Sheffield Wednesday stunned Premier League high-flyers Newcastle 2-1 at Hillsborough to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Wednesday, who are second in League One, inflicted one of the biggest shocks in this year’s third round as Newcastle suffered just their second defeat in all competitions this season – their previous loss coming at Liverpool in the Premier League on August 31.
Windass gave the home side the lead in the 52nd minute with a close-range goal, although the forward looked in an offside position with VAR not in operation.
Windass then doubled Wednesday’s lead in the 65th minute as he coolly converted after racing through.
But just four minutes later Newcastle pulled one back through substitute Bruno Guimaraes as he poked home from close range from a corner, although the Brazilian also appeared offside.
The Owls held on, though, to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions, while the Magpies exit the competition at the third-round stage for the third consecutive season.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe (left) and Chris Wood applaud the travelling Newcastle support after their shock defeat
How Wednesday ended Newcastle’s 15-game unbeaten run
Windass scores his second goal for Wednesday
Newcastle’s first taste of what might be in store for them came when Cameron Dawson produced a fine stop to deny Alexander Isak a goal on his first appearance since September as he clawed away the Sweden striker’s header.
Dawson again had to be alert to deny Isak, saving a low drilled effort with his legs after another clever pass from Javier Manquillo.
However, it was Wednesday who took the lead against the run of play early in the second half after some superb play by George Byers and Windass was then on hand to turn Dennis Adeniran’s cross home from close range.
Newcastle should have instantly responded, but Dawson produced a brilliant stop to keep out Elliot Anderson’s effort after a loose ball fell to the Newcastle midfielder eight yards out and then was alert to tip over Jacob Murphy’s swerving shot from distance.
Those stops proved pivotal as the Owls doubled their lead in the 66th minute, with Windass played in by Michael Smith, and he made no mistake, firing past Martin Dubravka to send Hillsborough wild.
But Newcastle were able to find an instant response this time as it was their turn to be grateful for the lack of VAR.
Guimaraes was in a clear offside position as he poked home from close range after Dawson had kept out Chris Wood’s header from Kieran Trippier’s corner.
The final 15 minutes were an onslaught, barring Windass’ brilliant free-kick which hit the bar, as Wood missed a glorious chance in the 82nd minute as Joelinton surged forward and teed up the striker who, with the goal gaping, skied over to sum up Newcastle’s night in South Yorkshire.
