Wednesday 30 November 2016 17:51, UK
Eldin Jakupovic was Hull's hero in Tuesday night's EFL Cup penalty shootout win against Newcastle - but he says his performance was not just down to luck.
The Swiss goalkeeper was man-of-the-match against the Magpies as Hull secured a place in the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in their history.
Mo Diame looked to have put Newcastle on course for victory in extra-time when he scored against his former club, but Hull equalised 77 seconds later through Robert Snodgrass.
Jakupovic, who has been back-up to David Marshall in the Premier League in recent weeks, then saved from Jonjo Shelvey and Yoan Gouffran in the shootout to clinch his side a 3-1 win on penalties.
"The only thing in my mind if we get to a penalty shoot-out is to save the penalties," Jakupovic told Hull's website.
"We do research on penalty takers before pretty much every game. It started with [former goalkeeping coach] Gary Walsh and continues now with Bobby Mimms. It is an important thing.
"I knew Shelvey would put his penalty where he did. Even if you know that you still need to be a bit lucky and make the save, but we are all happy that we won the game and got through."
It is not the first time Jakupovic has pulled off shootout heroics in the League Cup. Last season against Accrington and Leicester, the 32-year-old made decisive saves as the Tigers reached the last eight of the competition.
Mike Phelan's side have gone one better this time around and Jakupovic was delighted to have played his part.
"It was a special night because we knew this club hadn't been through to the semi-finals of this competition before," he added.
"It was not an easy game and we knew we would have to be patient against a good Newcastle team.
"We showed a good reaction after going behind in extra-time and got back to 1-1 within a couple of minutes.
"After that it was a case of keeping them out and going to the 50-50 situation of penalties. Thankfully that went our way."
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