Analysis: Newcastle 5-1 Sheff Utd

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Sheffield United, who started brightly at St James' Park but fell to pieces after Bruno Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead in the second half.

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 added to Anel Ahmedhodzic's early opener, with Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Mason Holgate all going close.

However, Newcastle never looked back after Guimaraes' header and could ultimately have won by a healthier margin.

Referee Tony Harrington awarded the visitors a late spot-kick after Jayden Bogle went down under pressure from Magpies substitute Alex Murphy, but Chris Wilder's team were denied a late consolation after VAR ruled the Newcastle defender had got his toe to the ball.

With Brereton Diaz, Holgate, James McAtee and Yasser Larouci due to return to their respective parent clubs on 30 June and Bogle, Oli McBurnie and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham all out of contract in the summer, Wilder has plenty to think about as the Blades turn their attentions to next season's Championship campaign.