Sheffield United’s demotion from the Premier League was sealed as Newcastle overcame a slow start to decisively beat Chris Wilder’s team at St James’ Park.
The visitors took an early lead when Anel Ahmedhodzic headed in Gustavo Hamer’s inswinging cross from close range.
The Blades created several chances to extend their lead while Newcastle initially struggled to control the game. However, the home team equalized when Alexander Isak fired in from Jacob Murphy’s pass in the 26th minute.
Ben Brereton Diaz saw his shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate hit the woodwork around the half-hour mark. Early in the second half, Bruno Guimaraes put Newcastle ahead by directing Lewis Hall’s cross into the far corner.
Isak then scored his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was fouled by Holgate. Newcastle’s fourth came as Ben Osborn unfortunately redirected the ball into his own net.
Substitute Callum Wilson added another for the hosts, scoring his first top-flight goal since October.
Sheffield United thought they had a chance to pull one back with a late penalty, but VAR overturned the decision, concluding that Newcastle substitute Alex Murphy had cleanly won the ball in his challenge with Jayden Bogle.
This loss leaves the Blades 10 points from safety with just three games left, while Newcastle, sitting in seventh, are in a strong position to clinch a European spot for next season.
Blades fall apart after bright start
Wilder’s team, which began the game brightly, unraveled after Guimaraes put Newcastle ahead. The signs of decline have been evident for a while now for the Blades, who have languished in the bottom three since a crushing 8-0 loss to Eddie Howe’s side at Bramall Lane in late September—their worst league defeat on record.
The Blades are second only to Swindon Town for the most goals conceded in a single Premier League season, having let in 97 goals in 35 games.
Early in the match, the visitors dominated possession and looked likely to extend their lead following Ahmedhodzic’s goal. Cameron Archer nearly scored after a skillful run, but his shot was deflected wide.
Archer was thwarted again by Dan Burn, who was perfectly positioned to block his shot, keeping Brereton Diaz from regaining the lead for the visitors after Isak had equalized.
Holgate hit the woodwork, and Andre Brooks missed wide with a long-range shot early in the second half. Once Guimaraes scored with his header, Newcastle controlled the game.
Late in the match, Referee Tony Harrington awarded the Blades a penalty after Bogle was brought down by Alex Murphy. However, any hope of a consolation goal vanished as VAR determined that the Newcastle defender had touched the ball, overturning the penalty decision.
Magpies eventually get going
If the home fans were hoping for a quick response from the Magpies following their subdued performance against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, their expectations were not met.
Eddie Howe’s squad, striving to secure a spot in European competition for the second consecutive year, began the match lacklusterly, seemingly without urgency, as the visitors controlled the game and reacted quicker to every loose ball.
After Isak’s goal leveled the score, Newcastle struggled to gain momentum, nearly taking the lead just before halftime, but Wes Foderingham’s strong left hand denied Hall’s low shot from the edge of the box.
The game shifted when Guimaraes netted his fifth goal of the season, after which the hosts took command and even had chances to further extend their lead following Wilson’s goal making it 5-1.
This season, Newcastle has scored 13 league goals against Sheffield United—the highest any team has scored against another in a single Premier League campaign.
Isak, in top form, has scored in his last seven appearances at St James’ Park, a feat only surpassed by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer in the club’s history.
With their latest victory, Newcastle now sits four points ahead of eighth-placed West Ham, with a game in hand, and just one point behind sixth-placed Manchester United, who just conceded a late equalizer to Burnley.
Player of the Match:
Alexander Isak