Newcastle United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
The FA Cup, Sixth Round
13 March 2005, 4.00pm
St. James' Park



Graeme Souness admitted he would "love'' to face his old club Blackburn in The FA Cup final after his Newcastle side beat Spurs 1-0 at St. James' Park.

But with holders Manchester United and Arsenal also through to the Semi-Finals, Souness admitted: "I would love to play Blackburn in the Final, although common sense tells me, out of the other three teams, I want it to be Blackburn we play next.

"It was a fantastic cup tie but I think Tottenham are entitled to feel hard done by. We bossed it for 20 minutes and then they had most of the ball after that. But I'm absolutely delighted that we're in the Semi-Finals of The FA Cup.''

Patrick Kluivert handed Newcastle a fifth-minute lead, but Shay Given made sublime saves from Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe in the second half to keep his side in front.

Souness said: "Shay was outstanding and I would have to thank him for us being in the next round.''

Souness revealed that defender Titus Bramble is in a race to be fit for the Semi-Finals as he faces a hernia operation that will keep him out for at least a month.

"It's a real blow to us,'' said Souness. "He'll be out for four to six weeks.''

Spurs created most of the chances and when Robbie Keane did put the ball in the net it was ruled out by referee Rob Styles who adjudged that Anthony Gardner had fouled Amdy Faye.

Jol said: "I thought we were all over them, but if you are you have to score.

"I thought Shay Given was a bit lucky, but everyone knows he is a great keeper and he showed great reflexes.''