Soccer-Newcastle beat Birmingham 3-2 in FA Cup after early scare

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Birmingham City v Newcastle United - St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain - February 8, 2025 Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy in action with Birmingham City's Bailey Peacock-Farrell REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -Joe Willock bagged a brace as Newcastle United battled back from a goal down after 40 seconds to beat third tier Birmingham City 3-2 at St Andrew's on Saturday and reach the English FA Cup fifth round.

League One leaders Birmingham shocked their Premier League opponents, who made nine changes to the side who beat Arsenal in midweek to reach the League Cup final, when Ethan Laird opened the scoring from the first corner of the game.