Chris Davies had message for players after Birmingham City did what Arsenal couldn't

Birmingham City ran Newcastle United close in the FA Cup before succumbing to a late Joe Willock goal

Chris Davies beamed with pride after his Birmingham City charges pushed Newcastle United all the way in a thrilling FA Cup tie at St Andrew’s.

Joe Willock netted the decisive goal for Newcastle in the 82nd minute to clinch a 3-2 victory in a game where Blues had led and come from behind. Davies and his players were given a standing ovation by a packed St Andrew’s at the final whistle.

“I am very proud, I said that to the players, they should be very proud,” said Davies. “The spirit and the heart of the team was clear for everyone to see. I thought we gave Newcastle a good game and right to the end we were in it.

“We certainly didn’t park the bus, we were being aggressive in our pressing but we were picking the right moments to jump up and press. It wasn’t gung ho. We were having good success with it. But when we got the ball, we are a team that likes to play and we showed that.”

Ethan Laird gave Blues the lead inside 43 seconds from a well-worked corner. Kieran Dowell’s corner was knocked back to Laird by Keshi Anderson and the finish lifted the roof off St Andrew’s.

Davies was particularly pleased with that goal due to Newcastle’s record at defending corners. A statistic emerged during Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday which showed the Magpies had only conceded once from corners this season. Make that twice. Tomoki Iwata scored Blues' second with a wonderful strike.

“The first goal was a worked corner and well executed,” Davies added. “Kieran has struck it really well and Keshi, and Ethan’s finish, so it was a really good start to the game. I think Newcastle have only conceded one goal from a corner this season so to be the team that got a goal against them from a corner is pretty impressive for the boys.

“The second goal is as good a goal as you will see anywhere. I’ve seen a lot of top goals but live, that is right up there for me, that’s an incredible strike. Somebody said it was 73 miles per hour. When it dropped down to him you fancy him to shoot but the keeper had no chance, it was a brilliant goal.”