Birmingham City Under-18s earned a 4-4 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, 31 October, with Denzil Uchenna’s second goal completing a late recovery from two goals behind.
James McPike’s side had trailed 3-1 before half-time and 4-2 after the restart. Max Haywood and Noah Hoarau also scored for Blues in an eight-goal derby that remained undecided until the closing moments.
Haywood and Hoarau keep Blues in touch
James Bythell gave West Brom an early lead before Haywood equalised. Frazer Billings restored the hosts’ advantage and Umar Sankoh added another, leaving Birmingham with a two-goal deficit.
Haywood then helped create Hoarau’s goal just before the interval. That reduced the gap to 3-2 and ensured Blues went into the second half with the game still within reach.
Uchenna supplies the late response
Bythell scored again early in the second period to make it 4-2. Uchenna subsequently pulled a goal back with a strike from distance, then found the equaliser in the penalty area late on.
The club’s match report, published on Sunday, describes Birmingham continuing to push after falling behind. West Brom goalkeeper Maxwell Moses made several saves, while Finn Hawkeswood and Uchenna both threatened before the final goal.
How the score changed
The verified match results page records a 3-2 half-time score and the final 4-4 draw. The sequence shows why this was such a demanding afternoon for Birmingham:
- West Brom led 1-0 before Blues drew level at 1-1.
- The hosts moved 3-1 ahead, with Birmingham reducing the deficit before the break.
- A fourth Albion goal restored the two-goal gap in the second half.
- Blues scored the final two goals to take a share of the points.
For supporters following the Birmingham academy, Uchenna’s double was the decisive contribution to a result earned through repeated responses to setbacks. The draw rewards those recoveries, while the four goals conceded remain part of the picture for McPike’s side.