For the second time this season, the U23s hit four goals without reply against their City counterparts - although the Blues will wonder quite how they ended up on the wrong end of what looks like a resounding defeat.

Fit-again Jonjo Shelvey lined up for the hosts at Whitley Park in this Premier League Cup group stage tie and the midfielder soon made his presence felt.

There were just eight minutes on the clock when Shelvey's long ball upfield set Isaac Westendorf away and the trialist striker (pictured) marked his second appearance for the club by firing in the opener.

That divided the sides at the break, but it was Birmingham who were in the ascendancy; almost equalising in the 26th minute when Oriel Soldevila hit the post and two follow-ups were both blocked.

The Magpies doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Elliot Anderson led a break from his own box, arriving in the City area to provide a first time finish when Joe White returned a pass from the right. Anderson was injured in the act of scoring, but able to continue after treatment.

Dylan Stephenson made it 3-0 in the 78th minute with a typical goal when he dashed into the box and shot home. Shelvey was then replaced, having given himself a chance of featuring against Spurs.

United almost got a fourth in the 87th minute when Adam Wilson hit the post but the same player was upended in the box by Rico Patterson three minutes later; Anderson sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

Biffa