Newcastle United narrowly edged past Birmingham City with a thrilling 3-2 victory on February 8, 2025, ensuring their progression to the fifth round of the FA Cup. The match at St Andrew's was full of excitement, featuring two goals from Joe Willock, who continues to rise to the occasion amid limited playing time this season.
Birmingham City stunned the visitors by taking the lead just 40 seconds after kick-off. Ethan Laird found the net with a well-placed effort, channeling the early momentum but it wasn’t long before Newcastle began to flex their muscles. Willock leveled the contest with his first goal, which ignited debate around whether the ball completely crossed the line; this lack of goal-line technology became a talking point throughout the match.
Despite the controversy, Newcastle's Callum Wilson soon put them ahead, marking his return to form after injuries plagued his season. After Wilson's strike, the Blues refused to back down, with Tomoki Iwata scoring what could be considered one of the early goals of the tournament, sending the stadium—it was filled with just under 28,000 fans—into raptures as the first half ended at 2-2.
Newcastle made nine changes to their starting lineup after their EFL Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, yet the visitors managed to find chemistry against challenging opposition. The Magpies appeared to dominate possession, but Birmingham, currently leading their third-tier league, remained formidable, nearly bagging the match-winner when Nick Pope made several brave saves to keep his team level.
Willock's decisive second goal came late, with just eight minutes remaining, allowing Newcastle to take the lead again and eventually secure the win. Describing his performance, Willock expressed, "I was just trying to give my best. It has not been an easy season for me, I've been waiting for my chance to push on and hopefully this is the start of the rest of my season."
Despite their defeat, Birmingham City showed they could compete on DeMarco’s field, presenting their strong form, highlighted by their unbeaten run prior to this match. They pressed high, with notable performances from players like Jay Stansfield and Keshi Anderson nearly claiming extra time.
The hopes of the home team running away with the upset were dashed late on, allowing Newcastle to extend their hopes of silverware. Their attempts to defend their lead were intense, creating moments of suspense as Birmingham launched late attacks. Numerous stoppages and injuries added to the drama, with the final minutes becoming deeply charged both with urgency and heartache.
The outcome remains significant for both teams. For Newcastle, the win reinforces their status as cup specialists and their determination to unprecedented success this season, combining their efforts both domestically and on the European front. Meanwhile, Birmingham can take pride from their performance as they continue their campaign, with aspirations of promotion looming large.
This past match highlighted not just the highs and lows of the FA Cup, but it also showcased the growing talents of players like Willock, who, with two goals for the night, firmly established his name back on the radar for more minutes with the first-team squad. Fans and pundits alike will anticipate whether he can replicate this form as the season progresses.