Newcastle edges Birmingham 3-2 in FA Cup thriller

In a thrilling FA Cup match, Newcastle United overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat Birmingham City 3-2 and secure a spot in the fifth round. The game started dramatically with Birmingham scoring just 43 seconds in, but Newcastle equalized through Joe Willock in a controversial goal, followed by Callum Wilson giving them a 2-1 lead shortly after. Birmingham's Tomoki Iwata struck a stunning equalizer before halftime, but Willock netted the decisive goal in the 82nd minute. This match showcased the character of Newcastle's squad, which featured nine changes from their recent EFL Cup victory over Arsenal. The game was played under an electric atmosphere at St Andrew's, and despite the loss, Birmingham demonstrated their potential for promotion to the Championship. Overall, it marked Newcastle's consecutive progression to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in nearly two decades.