FA Cup

[monks data]

FA Cup | Fourth Round

Jan 24, 2015 at 3pm UK

Birmingham Birmingham City
1-2
West Brom West Bromwich Albion

Grounds (45')

FT(HT: 1-2)

Anichebe (25', 35')

West Bromwich Albion edge past Birmingham City

By Kristian Johnson, Reporter | 24 January 2015

Victor Anichebe scores twice to hand West Bromwich Albion a 2-1 win over local rivals Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

A first-half brace from Victor Anichebe has seen West Bromwich Albion beat Birmingham City 2-1 and progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Victor Anichebe of West Brom celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion at St Andrews on January 24, 2015 © Getty Images

Saido Berahino, who scored four times in West Brom's 7-0 third-round win over Gateshead Town, almost broke the deadlock after 10 minutes, but his rising left-footed strike from the edge of the area flew narrowly wide of the near post.

David Cotterill then stung the hands of Boaz Myhill at the other end with a swerving strike from long range, having stepped in from the right flank.

West Brom took the lead in the 25th minute when Berahino slipped the ball through for Anichebe, who snuck the ball inside Darren Randolph's near post from 12 yards.

The forward then doubled his tally as he backed into his marker on the edge of the box before spinning and firing a shot inside the far post.

Anichebe spurned the chance to net a first-half hat-trick with a poor finish inside the area, and Birmingham grabbed a goal back on the stroke of half time when Jonathan Grounds flicked home Lloyd Dyer's left-wing cross.

The second half began at breakneck speed, with Randolph reacting well to thwart Joleon Lescott from close range before Myhill pushed away Lee Novak's powerful volley at his near post.

Myhill soon left the field after a smart save at the feet of Dyer saw him break his finger, and Ben Foster came on the face his old club.

Birmingham piled on the pressure as the game approached full time, with Andrew Shinnie nodding a header over the bar before Demarai Gray twice tested Foster with powerful efforts from distance.

Chris Brunt almost sealed the game for Albion late on, only for his low strike to cannon off the upright.