Birmingham secure replay
10 Jan 2007
Birmingham City v. Newcastle United
Here was a match with all the classic ingredients of the F.A. Cup.
The high flying leaders of the Championship against the susceptible injury-strewn "big boys" of The Premiership.
And played on a dubious surface that was due to be ripped up and replaced immediately after this match. Newcastle started well and got the ball down and played but Birmingham gradually got more into the game and could sense deficiencies in the Newcastle rearguard.
Birmingham gained a corner on the left, which was swung in for Matthew Upson to win it far too easily and knock it down for D.J. Campbell to flick it in under no real pressure. This really was schoolboy defending and not for the first time this season!
The equaliser was not dissimilar when, from a corner on the left by Milner, Muamba, for some obscure reason decided to move aside which allowed Stephen Taylor to side foot home.
Even then there are question marks against Larsson who was stood with one hand on the post as the ball sneaked past him!
Within two minutes Birmingham City were down to ten men when Matins completely outpaced Jaidi to a long ball over the top and The Blues defender felt obliged to haul the striker down leaving the feferee with no option but to dismiss him.
Their are still question marks over Obafemi Martins but one thing not in question is his electric pace.
Newcastle started the second half on top and most of the game was being played in the Birmingham half. The inevitable goal arrived when, after some decent build-up play, Upson completely messed up allowing Kieron Dyer a clear run in on goal and he finished confidently.
There were several chances to finish the match off particularly through Martins who hesitated too long allowing the opposing keeper Taylor to grab the ball from his feet.
But as we all know, no matter how much a team is on top nothing is ever safe until the final whistle.
With just four minutes remaining a long ball into the box was not dealt with by Huntington and the loose ball was volleyed home on the turn by Larsson to secure a replay at St. James'.
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