Newcastle United 5-1 Sheffield United – Report

Sheffield United’s fate was sealed in a gut-wrenching defeat away to Newcastle United, solidifying their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship. A 5-1 thrashing at St James’ Park marked the culmination of a dismal season for the Blades.

Manager Chris Wilder opted for an unchanged starting XI, hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes. Despite a positive start and some promising attacking plays, Sheffield United couldn’t maintain their lead. The Magpies capitalised on defensive lapses and gradually took control of the game.

Lineups

Newcastle: Dubravka, Schar (Krafth 45), Gordon (Ritchie 82), Isak, Hall (A. Murphy 82) Livramento, J. Murphy (Barnes 66), Anderson (Wilson 66), Burn, Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes.

Unused: Karuis, Dummett, White, Parkinson.

Blades: Foderingham, Trusty, Hamer (Slimane 79), Archer (Osula 66), Brereton-Diaz, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Osborn, Arblaster, Holgate (Robinson 66), Brooks (Souza 70).

Unused: Grbic, Norwood, Larouci, Curtis, Marsh

First half

The match began with a glimmer of hope for Sheffield United as Anel Ahmedhodzic headed them into an early lead via a Hamer cross, briefly silencing the roaring home crowd.

The Blades continued to push for more goals with promising attacks racking up from Brereton-Diaz and Archer, but last ditch blocks particularly from Burn saved the Magpies on more than one occasion.

However, their joy was short-lived as Alexander Isak equalised before halftime after an excellently weighted through ball from Murphy, shifting the momentum in Newcastle’s favour as Hall’s vicious effort from the edge of the box was expertly saved from Foderingham; but not before Brooks had a volleyed effort from some pinball in the box from a corner.

Second half

Newcastle’s dominance was evident in the second half, as they mercilessly piled on the goals. In the 54th minute, Bruno Guimaraes scored a wonderful header at the far post from a wonderful Gordon cross from a free-kick – defending from Holgate was questionable.

The Everton loanee’s defending was called into question once more when he committed a lazy challenge on Gordon inside the box, and Isak tucked home the penalty in the 61st minute. And the goals for Newcastle did not stop there as four minutes later Ben Osborn contributed with an own goal compounding Sheffield United’s misery.

And just when the Blades were fearing another embarrassing score line, substitute Callum Wilson added salt to the wound in the 72nd minute after some great teamwork with fellow sub Barnes.

Despite being awarded a last-minute penalty, Sheffield United’s hopes of salvaging some pride were dashed when referee Tony Harrington reversed his decision after consulting the pitchside monitor. It was a final blow in what had been a demoralising season for the club and its supporters.

The defeat not only confirmed relegation for Sheffield United but also highlighted the stark contrast between the two teams’ performances throughout the season. Newcastle’s total of 13 goals against the Blades in two games set a Premier League record, underscoring the gulf in class between the two sides.

The road ahead in the Championship will be fraught with challenges as they look to undergo one of the biggest rebuilds in the club’s history and reclaim their status in the top flight.