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Alan Shearer gives his honest opinion on William Osula’s display for Newcastle against Birmingham

Lucas Arnold

Mon 10 February 2025 9:38, UK

Newcastle United overcame a tricky test to get past Birmingham City in the FA Cup in what was an uneviable tie for any Premier League side.

Although Birmingham are playing their football in League One, Newcastle arguably played a side who are performing like a top end Championship team, such has been their investment.

Barring a pre-agreed deal for Lewis Hall, Birmingham spent a similar amount on transfers to Newcastle last summer, a side with rich ambitions.

That being said, one of the players Newcastle recruited, William Osula, got a rare chance to prove his worth at St Andrew’s.

Osula, who Newcastle signed from Sheffield United in the summer, is stuck behind both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in Eddie Howe’s striker pecking order, explaining why he played on the right wing against Birmingham.

And the Denmark under-21 international actually provided two assists on the right, even if one came in slightly comical circumstances. 

Alan Shearer still impressed by William Osula in FA Cup desptie his miss

Speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Alan Shearer discussed Osula’s missed chance which led to Wilson’s goal alongside both Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.

And although Lineker and Richards were baffled by Osula’s miss just a few yards out, Shearer was happy with what he saw from the 21-year-old overall.

READ MORE: Newcastle are interested in signing rival Premier League star who Alan Shearer called ‘outstanding’

Richards began the discussion by praising Wilson’s knack for scoring goals, before the conversation then quickly turned to Osula’s miss.

Richards said: “What about Callum Wilson though? No matter what, he just always manages to score. He’s in the right place at the right time.

“Who’s the lad who missed it on the line, Alan?”

Shearer replied: “Will Osula, yeah.”

Richards: “He missed it on the line! And then Callum Wilson just there to just tap it home.”

Lineker replied: “I think I’ll be going to the dressing room at the end and saying, how good was my assist?”

Richards: “He had his head in his hands, he was distraught!”

Shearer: “He actually played well, I thought, Osula. He should have scored, but he did do well for both the goals, but he should have scored, yeah.”

Eddie Howe continues to get it right at Newcastle

It’s worth pointing out that after the weekend’s football, only Newcastle are still in contention to complete a domestic treble.

Howe’s side might need a modern miracle to catch Liverpool in the Premier League, but it’s still a barometer of the club’s success despite much investment over the past 12 or so months.

Howe was frustrated by Newcastle’s business in January, knowing that he wasn’t going to benefit from the arrival of new players.

But his side continue to go from strength to strength in the league, and they’ll believe that they are good enough to win a spot in the Champions League once again.