Sheffield United’s 5-1 defeat at Newcastle confirms relegation from Premier League with three games to go; Blades have only managed three wins all season; they have amassed 16 points, only five better than Derby in 2007–08, who hold record for fewest points in a top-flight campaign.
The Blades’ 25th league loss of the season ended their miserable return to the Premier League, having won just three games so far, the fewest of any side, and conceded the most goals (97) in a 38-game top-flight campaign.
Chris Wilder’s side, who have been relegated with three games left, took a shock lead at St James’ Park through Anel Ahmedhodzic’s fifth-minute header.
But the visitors conceded to Newcastle’s first shot on target in the 26th minute as Alexander Isak’s clinical finish brought the Magpies level.
Sheff Utd then let in four second-half goals in just 18 minutes as Bruno Guimaraes’ header sparked a collapse as it was followed by an Isak penalty, a Ben Osborn own goal and a fine finish by substitute Callum Wilson.
Newcastle’s come-from-behind win boosts their hopes of European qualification, with Eddie Howe’s side just a point behind sixth-placed Manchester United.
Sheff Utd, meanwhile, will be playing Championship football next season as they make an immediate return to the second tier.
Goals had been expected at St James’ Park after Newcastle hammered Sheffield United 8-0 at Bramall Lane in September, but it was the Blades who surprisingly flew out of the traps.
A short-corner move saw Ahmedhodzic head in Gustavo Hamer’s cross after just five minutes and the visitors then pushed for a second.
But a sluggish Newcastle eventually equalised when Jacob Murphy released Isak in behind and the striker finished superbly.
A chaotic opening half an hour nearly saw Sheff Utd retake the lead as Dan Burn prevented Ben Brereton Diaz’s shot from crossing the line after he had rounded Martin Dubravka, before Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork with Andre Brooks smashing the rebound wide.
But the game swung dramatically in Newcastle’s favour early in the second half when Anthony Gordon curled a free-kick to the far post for Guimaraes to head home in the 54th minute.
Seven minutes later Gordon won a penalty after being brought down by Holgate and Isak powered home from the spot for his 19th league goal of the season, to put him one behind Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
Osborn then back-heeled into his own net as he tried to clear at a corner to make it 4-1 in the 65th minute, and Newcastle had a fifth just seven minutes later when Wilson came off the bench to finish smartly.
Sheffield United’s misery was complete when a late penalty decision for substitute Alex Murphy’s challenge on Jayden Bogle was overturned by referee Tony Harrington after a review at the pitchside monitor.
