Newcastle United defeated Sheffield United for the second time this season at St James's Park on Saturday, relegating the Blades with a 5-1 come-from-behind victory.
The Blades took a 1-0 lead early on with a goal from Anel Ahmedodzic, but Newcastle came back with goals from Bruno Guimarães, Callum Wilson, an own goal from Sheffield United and a brace from Alexander Isak.
Watch Newcastle vs Sheffield United full match replay
The Magpies lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace in midweek and put in a lackluster performance that left them behind Manchester United in the race for sixth place, but they have shown a different kind of performance at home this season. Before that they had beaten the Blades 8-0 at Bramall Lane. This campaign.
Sheffield United struggled against Manchester United, losing 4-2 in midweek, but this battle was short-lived. With 16 points from three games remaining, they cannot catch up with 17th place Nottingham Forest (26 points).
Wilder fails to solidify Blades, who is not blessed with talent
Chris Wilder replacing Paul Heckingbottom to try and save Sheffield United's season was a pretty neat idea. What always seemed like a pipe dream proved so, as Wilder took a talented team unfit for the top flight and failed to turn it into something more consistent.
The Blades scored 0.42 points per game under Heckingbottom, scoring 0.78 goals per game and conceding 2.78 goals, including eight goals conceded at home to Newcastle. Under Wilder? 0.52 points per game, 1.09 points per game, 2.76 goals conceded.
After the club failed to rebuild the squad following the sales of Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiayi, no manager was willing to coax any real singing out of the Blades.Vinicius Souza and Cameron Archer had their moments but weren't stars, they could have stayed that way. addition Berge and Ndiaye were retained, but the rest of the reinforcements weren't enough, despite occasional gasps of anticipation from USMNT back Auston Trusty and Dutch midfielder Gustavo Hamer.
Isaac and Guimarães could drag the Magpies to the European finish line
Newcastle's injury crisis rarely eased and their midfield, without Joelinton and the suspended Sandro Tonali, was substandard for most of the season, apart from the sensational Bruno Guimarães. The Magpies' attacking line-up was without Callum Wilson, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes for large parts of the season, but could rely on centre-forward sensation Alexander Isak.
There were other heroes as well, as Fabian Schaal and Dan Byrne helped a beleaguered centre-back corps overcome injuries to Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles. And Kieran Trippier was leading the Premier League in assists when he was suffering from a long-term injury.
But Isak, Guimarães and Botman are examples of what Newcastle could become under new ultra-wealthy owners. If they get the club back into the Europa League, they will probably choose to stay at the club rather than spend a lot of money. And if they qualify for the Europa League, Newcastle will have fewer financial fair play concerns and perhaps be able to afford to ward off suitors (Guimarães reportedly has a nine-figure release clause) .
Newcastle vs Sheffield United player ratings (photomob.com)
Newcastle vs Sheffield United player ratings (photomob.com)
Newcastle vs Sheffield United player ratings (photomob.com)
What's next?
Newcastle travel to Burnley for a scrap at Turf Moor on Saturday at 10am ET, while the Blades kick off at home to Nottingham Forest.
How to watch Newcastle vs Sheffield United Live, stream link and start time
kick off: Saturday 10 a.m. ET
tv channels: Peacock Premium
online: peacock premier league
Newcastle vs Sheffield United Live Updates — Written by Nick Mendola
Newcastle vs Sheffield United Final score: 5-1
Scorers: Ahmedožić (5 minutes), Isak (26 minutes, Pen 61 minutes), Guimarães (54 minutes), Osborne (65 minutes), Wilson (72 minutes).
Sheffield United's penalty overturned.
Alex Murphy and Jayden Bogle fought inside the No. 18 area and the Blades were awarded a penalty after Bogle went down in the box.
18 Referee Tony Harrington was called to the monitor as contact began off the field. There is no penalty.
Newcastle 5-1 Sheffield United (72 minutes)
Harvey Barnes rushes into a sea of Blades defenders and picks out Callum Wilson on the right.
Wilson stylishly brought the ball into shooting position and beat Foderingham.
Blaze is in decline.
Own goal and subs — Newcastle 4-1 Sheffield United (65 minutes)
Ben Osborne's only hope in the battle for the goalmouth is a foul or a difficult backheel sweep. He chose the latter and scored it his own goal.
A pair of subs for the Blades and Magpies.
William Osla and Jack Robinson will replace Cam Archer and Mason Holgate for Sheffield United.
Newcastle's Elliott Anderson and Jacob Murphy could be replaced by Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes.Emil Craft replaces Fabian Schaal at half, and the Magpies' position is
After both chances are destroyed, a penalty is imposed! Newcastle 3-1 Sheffield United (61 minutes)
Anthony Gordon is one-on-one with Foderingham, but kicks the ground.
At the other end, Ben Brereton Diaz takes the far corner, but Martin Dubravka makes a great save.
Now, Newcastle are awarded a penalty after Mason Holgate brings down Gordon in the box.
VAR is looking to see if it's in the box. Yes, Isaac heads to the scene. goal.
Bruno Guimarães goal! Newcastle 2-1 Sheffield United (54 minutes)
Will this also be the case for the Premier League's Blades?
It was a stunning diving header from Bruno Guimarães, who ran in behind Anthony Gordon's free-kick.
The Brazilian raised his corner flag in the air, much to the delight of St James' Park. He agrees with SJP (at least for now, the release clause is reportedly over $110 million!).
Halftime — Newcastle 1-1 Sheffield United
It was a very entertaining 45 minutes, but manager Eddie Howe would have wished the match against the 20th-placed visitors had been a little more boring, or at least one-sided.
Both teams attempted 10 shots, with the Blades probably leading the way. Dan Byrne had two huge blocks for the Magpies and both keepers had saves.
Alexander Isaac's goal! Newcastle 1-1 Sheffield United (26 minutes)
The Swedish striker has hit his stride again, scoring jointly with Dominic Solanke for the fourth-highest number of goals in the Premier League this season.
Isaac's run was perfectly timed to find Jacob Murphy's superb entry pass, beating Wes Foderingham to restore the tie.
block after block after block
Newcastle have finally recovered, but Sheffield United are throwing themselves in front of a number of shots.
However, the shot failed to reach Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
It might be 2-0, but Dan Byrne.
They called him Tyneside's BDB and the big Dan Byrne blocked at close range to deny the Blades a two-goal lead due to a Fabian Schaal error.
Blaze score! Newcastle 0-1 Sheffield United (5 minutes)
The Magpies are a mess from the start and the Blades look great!
Gustavo Hamer's service from the left side beat all of Newcastle, and BNH defender Anel Ahmedjić slipped past Martin Dubravka and scored.
Ahmedožić surprises Newcastle and gives Blades the lead
Sheffield United refused to go down without a fight as Anel Ahmedodzic scored the winner for the Blades early in the first half against Newcastle at St James' Park.
newcastle united line up
Dubravka, Librament, Schaal, Byrne, Hall, Guimarães, Longstaff, Anderson, Murphy, Gordon, Isaac.
sheffield united line up
Foderingham, Bogle, Holgate, Ahmeddzic, Trusty, Osborne, Arbruster, Hammer, Brooks, Breton Dias, Archer.
Newcastle United highlights, team news
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Sven Botman (knee), Jamal Lascelles (knee), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Lewis Miley (back), Matt Targett (Achilles), Kieran Trippier (Calf), Joe Willock (Achilles) | Asked by: Miguel Almiron (Knee), Tino Livramento (Ankle)
Sheffield United highlights, team news
OUT: Oliver McBurnie (thigh), James McAtee (knock), John Egan (ankle), George Baldock (calf), Max Lowe (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), Tom Davies (thigh) ), Daniel Jevison (illness), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Jack Robinson (ankle) | Asked by: Rhian Brewster (thigh)
