Sheffield United

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice as Nottingham Forest took a big step towards Premier League survival by beating already-relegated Sheffield United.

Ben Brereton Diaz's penalty put the home side ahead at Bramall Lane before Hudson-Odoi's superb curling effort brought Forest level midway through the first half.

The Blades responded well but missed a host of first-half chances and were punished when Ryan Yates put the visitors ahead with a thumping effort six minutes after the break.

Hudson-Odoi then made sure of a vital three points for Nuno Espirito Santo's side when he cut inside and bent the ball past Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into the far corner.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Sheffield United fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Forest fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

This has to be seen as an open goal for Nottingham Forest.

They did well against Manchester City last week despite being beaten, but now they need to follow that up with a repeat performance that gets them the result they need.

Forest's focus has to be on how they play, rather than who is the referee or video assistant referee. If they can do that, they should beat a fragile-looking Sheffield United, who are already down.

The Blades played well in the first half against Newcastle last week but capitulated in the end.

With 97 Premier League goals conceded already this season, it looks very likely they will end up passing the century mark there - but will it happen on Saturday?

Nathan's prediction: 0-2

Read all of the predictions here

There are five Premier League matches taking place today and we will keep you updated on all of them.

Full commentary:

• Burnley v Newcastle, 15:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Wolves, 17:30 - BBC Radio 5 Live

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.

Here are some headlines from his news conference:

• Midfielder James McAtee is back from injury and in contention to feature against Forest.

• Wilder shared that the club will be extending Ben Osborn's contract and have offered Daniel Jebbison a new deal.

• On the lessons learned this campaign, which will end in relegation: "I think that you are learning all the time about your players, good and bad. Obviously it's been a disappointing and painful experience for everybody, you can't get away from that, but we're learning."

• Wilder continued: "We have a massive obligation to our supporters to go out on a high and give them something in the summer to hold on to, because they have had nothing to hold on to this season really. We have two fabulous upcoming games, I think we all understand the connection and rivalry that we have with Forest and also an away day at Everton."

• On Forest's attacking threat: "We know Morgan [Gibbs-White, former Blades loanee] very well, he had an outstanding period here." Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood were also marked out as players to watch.

• On a potential Premier League spending cap being introduced: "I've been a part of both really, in terms of when I first started as a manager I had a really good budget and I think a lot of managers would like that opportunity of going and signing the best players, but I have seen clubs that overspend and go reckless and pay the price. So is there a sweet spot in between? Hopefully there is."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

• This is Sheffield United's first home Premier League match against Nottingham Forest since October 1992 - a goalless draw at Bramall Lane. They are unbeaten in their past four top-flight home games against Forest since a 3-1 defeat in August 1967.

• Nottingham Forest are looking to complete their first league double over Sheffield United since the 2003-04 campaign when the sides were in the second tier.

• Sheffield United are just three goals away from becoming the second side in Premier League history to concede 100 goals in a single campaign after Swindon Town in 1993-94 (100 in 42 games). The Blades would be just the third team to do so in a top-flight season with a maximum of 20 teams, after Darwen in 1891-92 (112 in 26 games) and Leicester in 1908-09 (102 in 38 games).

• Nottingham Forest have won just one of their past 19 Premier League games against promoted sides and that was in the reverse fixture against Sheffield United this season. This will be the second time they have faced an opponent in their first match after being relegated from the Premier League (within the same season) when they beat QPR 3-0 in 1995-96.

• Sheffield United have conceded 51 goals in their 17 Premier League home games this season. In English top-flight history, only Aston Villa in 1935-36 have ever conceded more at home in a single campaign (56).

• Nine of Chris Wood's 12 Premier League goals this season have either put Nottingham Forest in the lead (four) or drawn them level (five).

Ben Meakin
Fan writer

This is my third experience of relegation from the top flight, and the first one to arrive with an overwhelming feeling of relief.

2007 was all righteous fury at being on the wrong end of the Carlos Tevez affair. 2021 – albeit somewhat dulled by a full season of empty stadiums – brought angst at an opportunity squandered; a wave crested.

2024? I’m just glad it’s (almost) over.

As someone who expected relegation before a ball was kicked, there hasn’t been even a faint moment of hope along the way as our soon-to-be-historic defence coughs up goal after goal. Even taking the lead at Old Trafford and St James’ Park in the last week elicited little more than a shrug before the inevitable deluge at the other end.

I don’t have high expectations for next season back in the Championship – there’s far too much uncertainty about our squad to call it either way – but I’m incredibly excited about going into games and feeling like we have a chance again.

I imagine I will have a surreal time trying to process a 0-0 home draw – wait, other teams don’t always have to score four or more?

Relief, then, at the confirmation of relegation. What that says about the club’s preparation for this season, or the disparity between haves and have-nots even among teams in the same league, I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Ben Meakin can be found at the BladesPod, external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton says the way the Blades have competed in the Premier league this season "has not been good enough" and the club must build a "new team" in order to return to the top flight.

Relegation was confirmed at the weekend with three games left to play and Chris Wilder's side are just three goals conceded away from matching the Premier League record of 100.

"The only thing I think of is that they have a young player called Oliver Arblaster. He was given the armband at 20 years old, which is unheard of, and he is fantastic," Staton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"The only real positive that can come out of this is they have a young midfielder who grew up a Sheffield United fan and who can give the supporters hope going into next year.

"Apart from that, the way they've competed has not been good enough. They have not been good enough at Bramall Lane.

"People thought, if nothing else, teams would have to work hard at Bramall Lane. Last time they were in the Premier League, some of these bigger teams found it really difficult to go there with the atmosphere. Covid took that away from Sheffield United - that was the reason they had a disappointing relegation last time.

"This year, they haven't been competitive at the Lane, let alone away from home.

"When they've played teams like Burnley they've conceded nine goals. They haven't even competed against teams around them.

"It is time for a new team to be built and that will be a huge challenge as they will not have millions to spend this summer."

Watch the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba believes that while the Blades' players will be disappointed after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, they will learn from it and come back swinging next season.

Reacting to the 5-1 loss at Newcastle on the latest episode of the Blades Heaven podcast, he said: "You saw in the first half, if you attack as well as that and only score one goal, it's going to be very difficult.

"And then at the other end, we are very weak defensively. It's a real shame because there is so much promise, so much goodness that you are watching and yet again, how many times have we conceded four or five.

"The fans have given their all. It is very tough for the team on the pitch at the moment but they will be back stronger.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we actually have a stronger team than the team that started this season."

Asaba admits that it was always going to be hard for the Blades to stay up, but says there is still plenty of quality in their squad.

"When Chris [Wilder] took over, it was always a very difficult proposition to stay up," he said.

"I just hope we keep those younger players on long contracts. Arblaster once again looked as good as anyone on the pitch today."

"They completely cave in. When they go, they go.

"I get criticised for talking about how good some of these players are. It's really hard to explain what happens.

"They carved out chance after chance at Newcastle away. It's just hard to explain. I am really gutted for everyone."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United's Premier League fate was sealed following another heavy defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.

It might even come as a relief for Blades fans, who have watched their side leak goals week in, week out in a disappointing return to the top flight.

97 to be precise, at an average of 2.8 goals per game.

They have already broken the goals conceded record for a 38-game season and are just three goals off Swindon Town's record of the most goals (100) conceded in a Premier League season.

Despite Chris Wilder succeeding Paul Heckingbottom - who lost 11 of their opening 14 games - in December, he could not solve their shaky defence.

The former right-back slightly improved their attacking average from 0.8 goals a game under Heckingbottom to 1.1, but it was not enough to counteract the goals against.

Sheffield United have been relegated with 16 points from 35 games, making them the third-worst side in Premier League history in terms of points and goal difference.

Wilder says the top flight has been "too powerful" for them this season but that supporters can "trust him" to stay at the club beyond the summer.

But if they are to bounce back in a demanding Championship next season, they will have to tighten up their back line and recruit well this summer.

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle United and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

Tom: Strange game. Sheffield United absolutely flying out of the blocks and going for it. Big Dan Burn kept us in the game in the first half. He looks much more comfortable at centre-back than when he is stuck on the left. There was a complete transition in the second half, with Newcastle bombing forward at every opportunity and looking like scoring. Was there an interesting half-time talk?

Simon: Very pleased to see us bounce back from a poor midweek performance. We dominated in the second half and it is positive that we are converting chances. I was really pleased, particularly, to see Bruno and Wilson on the scoresheet. We need to push forward and get as many points as possible in our final few games, but well done!

Tant: With all of the injuries sustained this season, this team has shown real resilience under a world-class man manager in Eddie Howe. To be where they are now shows that, to a man, they are fighting for the boss. It was a difficult game today, but they showed great patience and belief in their own game plan to get the three points.

Andrew: We started a bit like me when I had eaten too many lockdown chocolates... slowly and poorly! But we finished like me when I eat a bag of sugar followed by three bottles of energy drink... buzzing and excited! I think we will keep both Guimaraes and Isak this summer. Next year will be great, if this year was anything to go by!

Sheff Utd fans

Bob: Sheffield United were the best team in the first half and could have had three goals. However, Newcastle woke up in the second half and ran out easy winners as the Blades were blunted.

Eric: I am sick and tired of seeing that white flag this season! Just close season, have a big clear out of both the players and management. Fresh ideas and a new approach is needed.

Peter: Chris Wilder is clueless and he needs sacking. This club needs a complete rebuild. Wilder is not the man for the job.

James: A fitting end to an embarrassing season. Unless there is a big change in the club, starting at the top with the owner who has proved himself incapable of running a football club, then there will be a relegation scrap on our hands again next season!

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United are on course to break Swindon Town's record of the most goals conceded in a Premier League season, with the Blades shipping five goals or more in more than seven games this campaign.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has been discussing their defensive struggles on Match of the Day: "With Swindon Town, it took them 42 games to concede 100 goals. If you look at Sheffield United right now, they have conceded 97 goals in 35 games.

"Look, they have had to get rid of some top players in Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. It has been very hard for them to compete in the Premier League this season.

"Chris Wilder is talking about a lack of leadership, but I would probably say that it is a lack of quality as well.

"I think that the fans will probably be relieved [that they have been relegated] - at least they won't have to deal with VAR next season!"

Catch up on Match of the Day here

Newly relegated Sheffield United have now conceded 97 goals in 35 Premier League games this season, after being on the receiving end of a 5-1 thumping against Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Anel Ahmedhodzic was the only Blades player to get on the scoresheet, after giving the visitors a deserved early lead in the fifth minute, but former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has been criticising the visitors' "dreadful" second-half performance.

"They actually did really well in the first half," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Sports Report. "They got their goal and perhaps should have scored another two or three more goals, because they hit the woodwork and created some really good chances.

"They had Newcastle on the ropes in that first half, but in the second half they were really dreadful. They were back to their normal self. It looked like every attack that Newcastle had, Sheffield United would concede.

"There is nothing unlucky about what they have done this season - they just haven't been good enough.

"You cannot go into games hoping that you are going to score three or four goals to try to get a point - but that is effectively what they were going to have to do this season.

"I mean, 97 goals tells its own story. They have been dreadful at the back in almost every game they have played in. They have been miles off it."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Man Utd 1-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-0 Brentford

Blackburn Rovers want up to £20m for Republic of Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics, with Brentford, Luton Town and Sheffield United all interested in the 28-year-old. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday’s game between Newcastle United and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• The Blades have now suffered their ninth top-flight relegation, which is as many as local rivals Sheffield Wednesday who have also been relegated nine times. Only five teams have suffered the drop from the top division of English football on more occasions: Birmingham City (12), Leicester City (12), West Bromwich (11), Bolton (10) and Manchester City (10).

• Newcastle have scored 13 Premier League goals against Sheffield United this season, which is the most one team has scored against another team in a single campaign in the competition's history.

• Alexander Isak has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, the most by any Newcastle player in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (22 goals). He has also scored in each of his past seven Premier League games at St James’ Park, with only Andrew Cole (8 in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutive home appearances for the Magpies in the competition.

• Sheffield United have conceded 97 goals in their 35 Premier League games this season, with only Swindon Town (100 goals in 42 games in 1993-94) conceding more in an entire campaign in the competition's history.

• Anthony Gordon has been directly involved in 16 Premier League goals at St James’ Park this season (9 goals, 7 assists), with only Cole Palmer registering more home goal involvements in the competition this term (17).

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to Match of the Day after his side were relegated from the Premier League this afternoon: "We have not been good enough. The league has been too powerful for us right the way through the season.

"There have been plenty of games where we have been put to bed early, but today we should have been 3-0 up at half-time. I'm scratching my head that it was 1-1. Newcastle then up their game and get a head of steam, and then our old mistakes start to fall in [place] and the goals go from two to three to four to five pretty quickly.

"There is a reason why that happens. It is an incredibly young side and there is a complete lack of leadership out there.

"I thought, at times, I was going to have a heart attack in terms of trying to get the messages on [to the players on the pitch]."

On the Blades' relegation from the English top-flight: "It stings and it hurts. We have to own it. We have got so much work to do on the training ground. We have got to have a proper pre-season.

"Sheffield United is a really good football club. I think everyone understands that, but it has been a really poor season.

"I have still got another year left of my contract and I would like to think that the supporters can trust me. I'm enthusiastic and committed, along with my coaching staff, to get it right.

"We know exactly what direction we need to go in, what the culture is going to look like, and what our pre-season is going to look like.

"It is going to be a tough summer for everybody."