Match Report
Birmingham City U21 went into the game 27th in the table on 17 points; Newcastle United U21 sat 21st on 24 — a 7-point gap. On the form table Newcastle United U21 stood 14th over the last five rounds, despite being 21st overall. In league terms the two rates read 1.3/2.6 for Birmingham City U21 and 1.5/1.75 for Newcastle United U21 (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.79.
Defeat had followed defeat for Newcastle United U21 — four in succession.
The venue was Bramall Lane in Sheffield, with room for 29,409 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 0-0 at the break, before 4 more goals closed it at 2-2.