Everton 1 Birmingham 2

Birmingham pulled off yet another good result after keeping a grip on the lead at Everton in the FA Cup.

Blues seized the initiative in the all-Premier League tie through Christian Benitez and went in at the break two up through Barry Ferguson's goal, before Leon Osman pulled one back for Everton in the second-half.

Benitez silenced the Goodison Park crowd with his strike after just seven minutes, the impressive Ferguson having a hand in the build up with a great cross-field ball and Keith Fahey with the cross that the striker headed in.

Five minutes before half-time the visitors were further ahead and in command, after a lovely flowing move freed Ferguson to curl past Tim Howard in the home goal.

But Everton did improve after the break and made it a nervy second-half for Blues, especially after Osman pulled a goal back in the 56th minute.

The midfielder was first to a Leighton Baines cross with a finish to match, a wonderful curling effort that beat goalkeeper Joe Hart all ends up.

That gave the home side impetus to salvage the tie and they went close through Marouane Fellaini, who spurned two good chances, but could not find the goal that would have kept them in the cup.