Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle recovered from a sluggish start to thrash Chris Wilder’s side at St James’ Park.
Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding home Gustavo Hamer’s inswinging cross from close range.
The Blades carved out several opportunities to double their advantage as Newcastle struggled to gain a grip on proceedings, but the home side were level when Alexander Isak drilled home from Jacob Murphy’s pass in the 26th minute.
Ben Brereton Diaz had a goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour mark, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes steered Lewis Hall’s delivery into the far corner.
Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the unfortunate Ben Osborn bundled into his own net for Newcastle’s fourth.
Callum Wilson came off the bench for the hosts to score his first top-flight goal since October.
Sheffield United were awarded a late penalty, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee who ruled Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge with Jayden Bogle.
The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining, while Newcastle stay seventh and are well placed to secure a spot in Europe next season.
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.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Newcastle United
Starting XI
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Squad number1Player nameDúbravka
Average rating6.48
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Squad number21Player nameLivramento
Average rating7.19
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Squad number5Player nameSchär
Average rating6.85
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Squad number33Player nameBurn
Average rating7.58
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Squad number20Player nameHall
Average rating7.32
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Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Average rating3.01
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Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães
Average rating8.31
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Squad number32Player nameAnderson
Average rating7.13
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Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Average rating6.96
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Squad number14Player nameIsak
Average rating8.41
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Squad number10Player nameGordon
Average rating7.76
Substitutes
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Squad number9Player nameWilson
Average rating7.95
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Squad number11Player nameRitchie
Average rating7.06
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Squad number15Player nameBarnes
Average rating7.64
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Squad number17Player nameKrafth
Average rating7.14
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Squad number54Player nameMurphy
Average rating6.95
Sheffield United
Starting XI
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Squad number18Player nameFoderingham
Average rating5.42
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Squad number30Player nameHolgate
Average rating5.24
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Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic
Average rating5.80
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Squad number5Player nameTrusty
Average rating5.13
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Squad number20Player nameBogle
Average rating5.33
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Squad number8Player nameHamer
Average rating5.92
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Squad number24Player nameArblaster
Average rating5.91
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Squad number35Player nameBrooks
Average rating5.46
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Squad number23Player nameOsborn
Average rating5.27
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Squad number10Player nameArcher
Average rating5.54
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Squad number11Player nameBrereton
Average rating5.92
Substitutes
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Squad number19Player nameRobinson
Average rating3.65
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Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza
Average rating3.89
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Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane
Average rating3.72
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Squad number32Player nameOsula
Average rating4.16
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Dúbravka
- 21Livramento
- 5SchärSubstituted forKrafthat 45′minutes
- 33Burn
- 20HallSubstituted forMurphyat 82′minutes
- 36S Longstaff
- 39Bruno Guimarães
- 32AndersonSubstituted forWilsonat 66′minutes
- 23MurphySubstituted forBarnesat 66′minutes
- 14Isak
- 10GordonSubstituted forRitchieat 82′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett
- 9Wilson
- 11Ritchie
- 15Barnes
- 17Krafth
- 18Karius
- 40White
- 54Murphy
- 63Parkinson
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 18Foderingham
- 30HolgateSubstituted forRobinsonat 67′minutes
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 5Trusty
- 20Bogle
- 8HamerSubstituted forBen Slimaneat 79′minutes
- 24Arblaster
- 35BrooksSubstituted forde Souza Costaat 70′minutes
- 23Osborn
- 10ArcherSubstituted forOsulaat 67′minutes
- 11Brereton
Substitutes
- 13Grbic
- 16Norwood
- 19Robinson
- 21de Souza Costa
- 25Ben Slimane
- 27Larouci
- 29Curtis
- 32Osula
- 34Marsh
- Referee:
- Tony Harrington
- Attendance:
- 52,196
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Newcastle United 5, Sheffield United 1.