Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Birmingham vs Newcastle LIVE: FA Cup result and reaction as Willock wins it late on for Magpies

Birmingham 2-3 Newcastle: Magpies recovered from conceding within 44 seconds to overcome the League One leaders

Will Castle
Saturday 08 February 2025 20:59 GMT
Comments
Eddie Howe sets sights on Newcastle glory in Carabao Cup final

Joe Willock’s brace helped Newcastle United eke past Birmingham City in an FA Cup thriller to progress into the fifth round of the competition.

Birmingham took the lead inside a minute through ex-Man United prodigy Ethan Laird, who smashed past Nick Pope with the help of a deflection from Callum Wilson.

The Magpies then flipped the game on its head thanks to two goals that didn’t go without controversy from Willock and Wilson, with many questioning if Newcastle’s equaliser fully went over the line.

However, the highlight of the first half came when Tomoki Iwata leathered it into the top-right corner to draw parity for the Blues - an early goal of the tournament contender.

After a fiery second half, Willock’s second of the night sealed Newcastle’s win late on, ending Birmingham’s hopes of a major Premier League scalp in the cup.

Relive all the FA Cup action with our live blog below:

HALF-TIME! Birmingham 2-2 Newcastle

Ethan Laird volleyed home Birmingham's early opener
Ethan Laird volleyed home Birmingham's early opener (Getty Images)
Tomoki Iwata fired in a screamer to equalise for the Blues after falling behind
Tomoki Iwata fired in a screamer to equalise for the Blues after falling behind (Getty Images)
St. Andrews is absolutely bouncing as Birmingham welcome Premier League opposition
St. Andrews is absolutely bouncing as Birmingham welcome Premier League opposition (Getty Images)
Will Castle8 February 2025 18:41

HALF-TIME! Birmingham 2-2 Newcastle

And breathe - for the next 15 minutes at least.

It’s all square as we head into half-time after 45 minutes of pure end-to-end chaos.

Birmingham took the lead inside a minute through ex-Man United prodigy Ethan Laird, who smashed past Nick Pope with the help of a deflection from Callum Wilson.

The Magpies then flipped the game on its head thanks to two goals that didn’t go without controversy from Joe Willock and Wilson.

But the highlight of the half came when Tomoki Iwata leathered it into the top-right corner to equalise for the Blues - an early goal of the tournament contender.

Give us more of what we just saw. Please and thank you.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:35

Birmingham 2-2 Newcastle

45+2 mins: Birmingham have got under the skin William Osula, who is shown a yellow card after a bit of a squabble with Keshi Anderson.

Anderson all gets booked for his part in it all.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:34

Birmingham 2-2 Newcastle

45 mins: Newcastle have a corner to try and regain the lead before half-time.

It comes to nothing and Birmingham counter, with Stansfield leading the charge. Newcastle bodies get back to survive.

Three added minutes to come.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:32

GOAL! Birmingham 2-2 Newcastle

40 mins: GOAL! WHAT A HIT!

Iwata just missed a glorious opportunity due to a lack of conviction in his shot. That wasn’t a problem for him here.

It sits up nicely for the midfielder, who runs onto the ball with pace and BLASTS it into the top-right corner.

We all just collectively leapt out of our seats. You won’t see many better strikes than that.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:27

Birmingham 1-2 Newcastle

37 mins: This has been BREATHLESS!

It’s Newcastle this time that are pushing for another, with William Osula doing well to try and fashion a shooting chance, only to see his effort blocked by a Birmingham body.

Osula then tries catching an out-of-position Peacock-Farrell with an effort from range, but the keeper shuffles across to gather.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:25

Birmingham 1-2 Newcastle

33 mins: CHANCE! You expect Jay Stansfield to put them away.

Birmingham’s top scorer latches onto a delightful cross from Anderson, but his header (or shoulder) goes agonisingly wide of the post.

Things should be level here.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:22

GOAL DISALLOWED! Birmingham 1-2 Newcastle

32 mins: GOAL DISALLOWED! William Osula knocks in from Bruno Guimaraes’ free-kick but the flag goes up for offside.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:19

Birmingham 1-2 Newcastle

30 mins: You could say order has been restored, but this first half an hour has been something of beautiful FA Cup chaos.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:18

GOAL! Birmingham 1-2 Newcastle

26 mins: GOAL! Newcastle have turned this contest right on its head!

Livramento drives with the ball on the overlap and puts it into the danger area, where it turns into a pinball affair. In the chaos, Wilson gets his studs to the high ball and forces it over the line.

Not as much controversy about that one. The Magpies lead.

Will Castle8 February 2025 18:14

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in