LATEST NEWS: Chris Wilder the head coach of sheffield united blem this top three key player after a big lose against Newcastle 5-1
Sheffield United’s Premier League relegation was secured as Newcastle defeated Chris Wilder’s team at St James’ Park, rallying from a slow start.
Anel Ahmedhodzic headed home Gustavo Hamer’s inswinging cross from close range to give the visitors a well-earned early lead.
As Newcastle attempted to take control of the game, the Blades created multiple opportunities to extend their lead, but in the 26th minute, Alexander Isak scored off Jacob Murphy’s ball to square the score.
After half an hour, Dan Burn saved a goal-bound attempt by Ben Brereton Diaz, and Mason Holgate headed against the crossbar, but Bruno Guimaraes headed Lewis Hall’s cross into the far corner to give the visitors an early lead.
After Anthony Gordon was pulled down by Holgate, Isak scored his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot. Newcastle’s fourth goal came from Ben Osborn, who unintentionally bundled into his own net.
For the hosts, Callum Wilson scored his first Premier League goal since October after coming off the bench.
The video assistant referee reversed Sheffield United’s late penalty award, ruling that Alex Murphy, a substitute for the Magpies, had won the ball in a challenge with Jayden Bogle.
With three games left, the loss puts the Blades 10 points outside of safety, while Newcastle stays in seventh position and is likely to play in Europe next season.
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Blades fall apart after bright start
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Wilder’s side, who started brightly on Saturday but fell to pieces after Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead.
The Blades have been stuck in the bottom three since late September, when they were thrashed 8-0 by Eddie Howe’s team at Bramall Lane in their record league defeat.
Only Swindon Town have conceded more goals in a single Premier League season than the Blades, who have now shipped 97 goals in 35 games.
The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession and could have doubled their lead after Ahmedhodzic’s early opener, with Cameron Archer having a shot deflected wide following a mazy run.
Archer then had another effort blocked by Burn, who was in the right place at the right time to prevent Brereton Diaz putting the visitors back in front after Isak’s leveller.
Holgate was denied by the frame of the goal and Andre Brooks skewed a long-range effort wide early in the second half, but Newcastle never looked back after Guimaraes’ header.
Referee Tony Harrington awarded the visitors a late spot-kick after Bogle went down under pressure from Alex Murphy, but Wilder’s team were denied a late consolation after VAR ruled the Newcastle defender had got his toe to the ball.
Magpies eventually get going
If the home supporters were expecting a fast start from the Magpies after Wednesday’s limp defeat at Crystal Palace, they were left disappointed.
Howe’s team are aiming to secure European qualification for the second season in succession but started the game as if they had little to play for, with the visitors dominating possession and first to every loose ball.
Newcastle failed to kick on after Isak’s equaliser but very nearly completed the turnaround on the stroke of half-time, but Wes Foderingham got a strong left hand to Hall’s low drive from the edge of the box.
However, the hosts finally took control after Guimaraes’ fifth goal of the campaign and could have added even more gloss to the scoreline after Wilson made it 5-1.
Newcastle have scored 13 league goals against the Blades this season – the most one team has registered against another in a single Premier League campaign.
In-form Isak has found the net in his past seven appearances at St James’ Park – only Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer have enjoyed longer streaks for the club.
Newcastle are now four points clear of eighth-placed West Ham with a game in hand and just a point behind Manchester United in sixth, after the Red Devils conceded a late equaliser at home to Burnley on Saturday.
