Newcastle United imploded at St James' Park as Birmingham
deservedly claimed a Barclays Premiership scalp to reach the FA Cup
fourth round thanks to a 5-1 victory.
Chairman Freddy Shepherd, who had earlier praised the efforts of
the clubs youngsters, sat stony-faced in the directors box having
witnessed the biggest home defeat since Manchester Uniteds 6-2 win
in April 2006.
To make matters worse Steven Taylor, who was dismissed in the
second half, and emergency full-back Nolberto Solano now both face
suspensions for important Barclays Premiership games.
The visitors needed only five minutes to take the lead, Gary
McSheffrey collecting Sebastian Larssons half-cleared cross to
thump a shot past Shay Given and set the stage for a shock.
The Magpies fleetingly looked as though they might drag themselves
back into it as Matty Pattison, Obafemi Martins and Antoine
Sibierski tried their luck from distance, but to little effect, and
in was the visitors who extended their lead on the stroke of
half-time.
Cameron Jerome slipped away from Taylor on the right and drilled a
cross to the far post where Solano, under pressure from DJ
Campbell, put through his own goal.
Newcastle came out more determined in the second period and their
pressure paid off in the 56th minute when James Milner ran on to
Sibierskis lay-off and smashed in a right-foot shot from 25
yards.
However, any hopes of a comeback were torn apart within a minute
when Taylor tugged back Campbell, then clipped his heels and was
sent off.
Larsson drove the resulting free-kick into the defensive wall but
the ball ricocheted to Bruno NGotty, and he lashed it into the net
to restore his sides two-goal advantage.
The agony was far from over for Newcastle, Larsson and Campbell
compounding the misery with 83rd and 89th-minute strikes to make it
a black night for Geordies.
