What Alan Shearer did straight after Newcastle's FA Cup draw speaks volumes
Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer couldn't hide his delight to discover that Eddie Howe's men will be going to League One club Birmingham City in the next round of the FA Cup.
The Magpies advanced to the fifth round of the competition on Sunday afternoon, after surviving a scare to beat League Two Bromley at St. James' Park. The home support were silenced in the eighth minute as Callum Congreve curled in a shock opener for the visitors.
Fortunately for Newcastle, parity was restored shortly after, as Lewis Miley fired in a brilliant strike. Howe's team had to wait until after the half-time break to take the lead when Matt Targett won the hosts a penalty - and that was comfortably converted by Anthony Gordon.
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The tie was, eventually, put beyond doubt on the hour-mark when a brilliant solo effort from Will Osula wrapped the game up and saw Newcastle progress. While United were defeating Bromley, Shearer was in north London on co-commentary duty for Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.
That match went all the way to penalties with Ruben Amorim's side progressing 5-3 in the shootout. As such, the fourth round draw was delayed and took place shortly after the full-time whistle.
In the draw, Newcastle discovered they will be taking a trip to St. Andrew's to face League One team Birmingham City in the next round after they beat Lincoln City on Saturday. As the live coverage returned to the studio on BBC One, Gary Lineker dropped his friend and colleague in it by expressing Shearer's reaction to the draw.
On air, Lineker said: "Alan is smiling in the back of the studio. Birmingham and Newcastle, Al fancies his chances!"
Newcastle will hope that Shearer's confidence does not masquerade as complacency as Birmingham are, arguably, a better side than League One. They currently sit top of the table - two points clear of Wycombe Wanderers - who have played two matches more.
Under the management of Chris Davies, City have spent heavily to invest in their squad and try ensure a smooth return to the Championship. Staggeringly, Birmingham spent a whopping £15m up front - which could potentially rise to £20m - to sign Jay Stansfield from Fulham.