ALSO READ Joe Willock's double - including a controversial first goal - helped keep alive Newcastle's dreams of a second Wembley appearance this season as they edged past battling Birmingham. The midfielder's 21st-minute strike, which assistant referee Nigel Lugg adjudged to be over the line, cancelled out Ethan Laird's 40-second opener for the hosts. Willock then grabbed an 82nd-minute winner to break Birmingham hearts after the League One leaders had given their Premier League opponents a massive scare. Callum Wilson's first goal since May, after an injury-blighted season, put the visitors 2-1 up, before Tomoki Iwata's stunning 25-yard rocket hauled the Blues level five minutes before the end of a whirlwind first half. It was the perfect response from Willock after the 25-year-old was racially abused following the 2-1 defeat against Fulham last Saturday. The Magpies contacted police after the midfielder was targeted on Instagram, having missed a chance to put the hosts 2-1 up before the Cottagers claimed a late winner. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Willock praised the support from those around him and added: "When you have a good family, team-mates like your family and a manager you can speak to about anything, it makes it so much easier. "We had a meeting and the manager gave me comfort, that is why I have so much respect. I want to give the club everything because they have helped me Boss Eddie Howe was also quick to praise the midfielder as he added: "Joe has handled himself really well this week. His response to what he suffered was really admirable, he's a very strong-willed person. "He loves his football and I think he's just concentrated on that this week and tried to put all other distractions behind him. "It was a nice response from Joe - he let his football do the talking." Howe made nine changes from Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal that booked a Wembley final date with Liverpool next month. So there was no excuse for a hangover for the Magpies, but they were rattled by a side full of confidence following an 18-game unbeaten run. Keshi Anderson, Jay Stansfield and Scott Wright went close as Birmingham demonstrated the rebuilding job done by Chris Davies since relegation from the Championship last season. The tenacious hosts, four points clear at the top of the third tier, almost forced extra time, but Nick Pope thwarted Christoph Klarer late on. But Willock's close-range finish with eight minutes left was decisive, although Newcastle survived a nervy 12 minutes of injury time after Birmingham's Marc Leonard was carried off in the second half with a leg injury. Davies remained philosophical after the defeat, especially when asked about Willock's leveller. "I've not actually seen the footage everyone's talking about - it sounds like it was inconclusive as to whether it was over or not," he said. "In that case, it's a 50-50 chance it goes in your favour and it's gone in their favour. You could say it's a bit harsh in that sense, but there's nothing we can do about it." Birmingham were on their knees when Tom Wagner bought the club just over 18 months ago. Relegation followed the ill-fated and ill-advised appointment of Wayne Rooney but the shoots of recovery at St Andrew's have been clear for some time. The Blues are on course for an immediate return to the Championship and matched Newcastle in a frenetic game that lived up to the billing for the television cameras. On this evidence, boss Davies has a committed, unified and stylish side which, barring a collapse, should be celebrating promotion at the end of the season. The hosts, though, will naturally feel aggrieved Willock's equaliser was allowed to stand, with numerous replays failing to deliver conclusive proof the ball crossed the line before Bailey Peacock-Farrell pushed it out - and no video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene. Iwata also scored a goal to rival any strike in the competition so far. Birmingham may be out of the cup, but they are clearly back on the right track. Howe rotates well as Magpies stay on track for Wembley repeat Having reached one final already, Newcastle remain on course to repeat the feat, but only just. They showed impressive resilience after Birmingham's lightning start as the hosts looked to overwhelm their top-flight visitors. Their scrappy first-half goals may have lacked finesse but there was a stage where Newcastle just needed to hang on. They may have been on the side of a fortunate decision with Willock's first, but Howe's side kept their cool and managed the game well in a feisty second half which had the ingredients to combust. The changes allowed Howe to rotate and use his squad to avoid burnout - something they must manage, given they remain in the hunt on three fronts as the Magpies look to return to the Champions League. Of those recalled, Willock and Will Osula took their chance, while Wilson got his long-awaited goal following a scramble in the box. The 32-year-old striker has only made three starts since December 23, 2023 after suffering back and hamstring injuries this season and his return will give Howe much-needed options to ease the burden on key frontman Alexander Isak.
