Match ends, Newcastle United 5, Sheffield United 1.
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 Anthony Gordon's delivery into the far corner.
Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after 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.
- Reaction to Newcastle United v Sheffield United and the rest of Saturday's Premier League action
- How did you rate Newcastle's performance? Have your say here
- What did you make of Sheffield United's performance? Send us your views here
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 Lewis 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, meanwhile, 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.
Player of the match
IsakAlexander Isak
Newcastle United
Avg
- Squad number14Player nameIsakAverage rating
8.57
- Squad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesAverage rating
8.40
- Squad number9Player nameWilsonAverage rating
7.95
- Squad number10Player nameGordonAverage rating
7.79
- Squad number33Player nameBurnAverage rating
7.65
- Squad number15Player nameBarnesAverage rating
7.64
- Squad number20Player nameHallAverage rating
7.36
- Squad number21Player nameLivramentoAverage rating
7.22
- Squad number17Player nameKrafthAverage rating
7.19
- Squad number11Player nameRitchieAverage rating
7.09
- Squad number54Player nameMurphyAverage rating
7.00
- Squad number23Player nameMurphyAverage rating
6.97
- Squad number5Player nameSchärAverage rating
6.88
- Squad number1Player nameDúbravkaAverage rating
6.54
- Squad number32Player nameAndersonAverage rating
6.18
- Squad number36Player nameS LongstaffAverage rating
2.90
Sheffield United
Avg
- Squad number11Player nameBreretonAverage rating
5.86
- Squad number8Player nameHamerAverage rating
5.86
- Squad number24Player nameArblasterAverage rating
5.84
- Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzicAverage rating
5.75
- Squad number10Player nameArcherAverage rating
5.50
- Squad number35Player nameBrooksAverage rating
5.39
- Squad number18Player nameFoderinghamAverage rating
5.36
- Squad number20Player nameBogleAverage rating
5.23
- Squad number23Player nameOsbornAverage rating
5.21
- Squad number30Player nameHolgateAverage rating
5.19
- Squad number5Player nameTrustyAverage rating
5.06
- Squad number32Player nameOsulaAverage rating
4.23
- Squad number21Player nameVinicius SouzaAverage rating
3.93
- Squad number25Player nameBen SlimaneAverage rating
3.92
- Squad number19Player nameRobinsonAverage rating
3.62
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
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away5
- Corners
- Home4
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 5, Sheffield United 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Osborn.
Post update
Foul by Alex Murphy (Newcastle United).
Post update
Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
VAR Decision: No Penalty Sheffield United.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Auston Trusty (Sheffield United).
Post update
Attempt saved. William Osula (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Vinicius Souza.
Post update
Tino Livramento (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ben Brereton (Sheffield United).
Post update
Foul by Emil Krafth (Newcastle United).
Post update
William Osula (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Harvey Barnes (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United).
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Matt Ritchie replaces Anthony Gordon.
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Alex Murphy replaces Lewis Hall.
Post update
Emil Krafth (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by William Osula (Sheffield United).
Post update
Foul by Lewis Hall (Newcastle United).
Comments
Join the conversation
Injuries. Wishing all the Blades supporters well for next season!
HWTL
Much better second half, a shame Isak didn't get his hattrick. 5-1 was a touch unfair on Sheffield
Good luck next season, hope you come back up, and Newcastle United? I won't say it, but I told you so after that match against Palace.