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Sheffield United (h) Premier League
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Date: Saturday 27th April 2024, 3pm (not on live UK TV) Venue: St. James' Park
Conditions: Persistent |
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Newcastle |
Sheffield United |
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5 - 1 |
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| Half time: | 1 - 1 | |
| Score Sheet: | ||
(26) Isak
(54) Guimaraes
(61) Isak(pen)
(65) og(Osborn)
(72)
Wilson
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Ahmedhodzic
(5)
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Teams |
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Dubravka Hall Livramento Burn Schar Longstaff Guimaraes J.Murphy Anderson Gordon Isak |
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Foderingham Holgate Ahmedhodzic Trusty Bogle Hamer Arblaster Brooks Osborn Archer Brereton-Diaz |
| Substitutes: | ||
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(46)
Krafth for Schar (66) Barnes for J.Murphy (66) Wilson for Anderson (82) Ritchie for Gordon (82) A.Murphy for Hall |
Robinson
for Holgate (67) Osula for Archer (67) de Souza Costa for Brooks (70) Ben Slimane for Hamer (79) |
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| Subs not used: | ||
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Karius Dummett White Parkinson |
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Grbic Norwood Larouci Curtis Marsh |
| Bookings: | ||
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None
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None
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| Dismissals: | ||
| None | None | |
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Referee: Tony Harrington - a swift return to SJP for the Teesside-based official, who took charge of the recent 1-1 home draw with Everton. VAR: Andy Madley |
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Attendance:
52,196 including 3,204
Blades.
Wor Flags excelled themselves with this pre-game display and banner
across the Gallowgate End: Asked afterwards about this, Bruno
said: |
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Goals |
5 mins A corner on the Blades left went
short to Oliver Arblaster on the byline before being played infield to Gustavo
Hamer. His powerful delivery fell to Anel Ahmedhodzic,
whose forward movement wasn't tracked by Fabian Schar. The Bosnian's glanceing
header from six yards out went through the legs of Martin Dubravka.
Nickseon Gomis was lurking unmarked beyond the scorer had a longer centre
arrived - with Dan Burn on the floor, vainly claiming to have been pushed over
by Mason Holgate as the ball arrived. 0-1
26 mins Jacob Murphy sauntered over halfway on the Newcastle right, with
Tino Livramento overlapping outside him. With no opponent intervening, Murphy
saw Alexander Isak making a run towards the right hand side of the box,
between two covering defenders.
Murphy expertly picked out the striker, whose first touch saw him sweep home a
low right footed effort into the far side of the goal. 1-1
Half time: Magpies 1 Blades 1
54 mins Anthony Gordon swung in a deep free kick from outside the right hand side of the Blades box, dropping behind the jumping Holgate for Bruno Guimaraes to meet with a diving header inside the six yard box and guide back across goal. 2-1
61 mins Gordon advanced down the left hand channel and was just inside the box when sent sprawling by Holgate. Alexander Isak casually stepped up to take the resultant penalty and placing it to Foderingham's left - the 'keeper guessing correctly but diving after the ball was gone. 3-1
65 mins Gordon's outswinging corner from the Newcastle right was met by
Elliot Anderson towards the back post; his header from six yards out hit Bruno
on the back, bouncing down to Arblaster. He got ball and legs tangled in trying
to clear, succeeding only in pushing it along the ground towards colleague Ben
Osborn, whose instinctive flick took it into the bottom corner of the goal.
Confusion over who had scored and whether the ball had actually gone in
resulted in a lack-lustre celebration away from the Gallowgate End - not helped
by a lack of on-field celebration. 4-1
72 mins A rampant home side advanced again, Gordon playing a sideways pass
to Harvey Barnes outside the box, the Magpies substitute embarking on a forward
run that took him past two opponents before two blocked his route to goal inside the
area.
Barnes artfully touched the ball into the path of Callum Wilson to his
left and he took a steadying touch with his left boot before launching the ball
into the roof of the net with his right. 5-1
Full time: Magpies 5 Blades 1
We Said |
Eddie Howe said:
"We knew half-time was going to be important for us.
"First half, we were - I don't need to tell you - well off it, probably a
little bit of tiredness from midweek, the first game in a while and then of
course a very quick turnaround.
"It enabled us to settle down a few things and come up with a much
better performance.
"It was a difficult first half because I thought Sheffield United
played well. They were fighting for their lives - we knew that they would come
here and have a right go.
"It was a much improved second half display and, in the end, we fully
deserved the win. We scored at a good time and were devastating at times.
On Bruno Guimaraes:
"He is very much part of my plans. We have to showcase what we can offer him as a football club and hope that is enough to keep him.
"Bruno is a special talent and he scored a big goal today. Hopefully he stays with us for many years."
On Alexander Isak:
"I think he is (world-class), yes, I think he is.
"For me, I think the biggest thing is would I swap him with anybody else?
No, I wouldn't. When you look at his age profile and what's to come, you look at
his attributes and his qualities, he's some talent.
"He's full of confidence, he looks physically in a really good place and I
just think it's a great thing to watch him play currently."
On Fabian Schar:
"Fabian had a bit of tightness in his hamstring. We don’t think it’s
a big injury – there’s not one moment where you think he’s pulled his
hamstring – but it was enough to make him feel uncomfortable. He couldn’t
fully sprint, so he had to come off.
“We were going to make the change, but he said he was fine and he wanted
to carry on. At half-time, it became clear so he couldn’t, so that’s when we
eventually changed things.”
On Tino Livramentro:
“We had a meeting yesterday, and he said he felt fit to play. He said he felt
good. I backed him, and I thought he gave a really good performance for us.”
On Callum Wilson:
"I always say when Callum comes back from injury, he always does the
work. That’s sometimes very difficult when you’re having to do the
same things again. He’s got to come back at such a good physical level to
score goals, but again he’s done the work.
"It was slightly easier this time because it was an upper limb injury
so he’s done a lot of running. I had no doubt he looked really great, and he
looked great today when he came on. He could have scored more, but the one he
did get was an incredible finish."
On his side's goalscoring exploits:
"When you start the season, you don't aim for that, but scoring goals is
something we have to do and we want to do.
"I have said many times, we want to attack, we want to be known for being an attacking team, a team that's always looking for opportunities to score and to excite our unbelievable supporters and play the style of football that's in keeping with the traditions of the club, so to do that is a great thing.
"But of course, it's all about winning games, really, it's not about
scoring goals as such in terms of the number, it's about winning as many games
as you can.
"We've probably been too leaky the other way although we've been
free-scoring, so there's certainly stuff for us to work on."
On European qualification:
"It would be a great achievement for us. I am very keen to build and
maintain the momentum we have had in recent years.
"Last season was a huge achievement to get Champions League football.
This season has been difficult with injuries, so if the players are able to
achieve that, I think it will be outstanding."
They Said |
Chris
Wilder said:
"We have not been good
enough.
"The league has been too powerful for us right the way through the season.
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.
"Players will not change
my mind over the last three or four games,' he said, when asked about the future
of the current squad. Where have you been 15 games ago? Or 25 games ago?
"They can't automatically turn it on in
the final embers of a season and expect me to go, "I'll tell you what,
you've been all right by the way". Unfortunately, the season lasts for 38
games. Every part of it has not been good enough.
"One of the best parts of the football club and the most consistent, is our
supporters. They were amazing yet again. They stayed. They've had to put up with
a lot this season, it's been a really painful season. We are where we are.
"The game wasn't decided today; it was over numerous games., They have
walked out at times and rightly so. I would have as well, because of the big
defeats we've suffered.
“I fully respect that, whatever the reason. But as they were on Wednesday (at
Old Trafford) and for the majority of the season, they were amazing. They've
had to put up with a real poor season, and their support has been
consistent.
"I thank them for it and I told the players after that we must repay those
supporters, week in, week out, with so much more than we've offered them this
year.
"Sheffield United is a really good football club. I think everyone
understands that but it's been a really poor season. I've still got another year
left of my contract. I'd 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, what the culture is going to
look like, what pre-season is going to look like. It's going to be a tough
summer for everybody.
"We
didn't get relegated today - we've been relegated because we haven't been good
enough all season. We've not been good enough in every aspect of the game. We
have to accept that and take that on the chin.
"The old things that came back to haunt us: physically the league's too powerful for us; they upped the tempo and their game. On every front it epitomised what the season's been about - and that we haven't been good enough pre me and after me.
"It's a really poor season and we have
to own that, but we'll come fighting and swinging back. There's a lot of work to
be done, but we'll be okay."
Stats |
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1993/94 Andy Cole (34) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 21 Blades in Toon - last 10: 2023/24 won 5-1 Isak 2, Bruno, OG, Wilson
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Waffle |
The Mag with the stick
An afternoon that began badly for Newcastle had a successful conclusion, as
they came from a goal down to collect three points and consign
the Blades to an immediate Championship return.
Burnley's late equaliser at Old Trafford following West Ham's draw with
Liverpool at lunchtime left the Magpies in seventh spot - a point behind the Red Devils
and four ahead of the Hammers, who have played a game more.
The Saturday night fixture then gave the black and whites a further lift; Chelsea held
2-2 at Aston Villa to leave the Blues five points behind us with a game in hand.
Our vastly superior goal difference over all of
those teams is also key, should the race for Europe be decided on such fine margins.
While our goal-laden sequence in the second half caught the eye, the flowing
football evident at that juncture was in stark contrast to much of what had gone
before; too often indecisive and uninspired.
A rare moment of focus and precision saw Alexander Isak take Jacob Murphy's pass
and fire home at the Leazes End in the 26th minute, canceling out a sloppy fifth
minute opener at the other end, when Anel Ahmedhodzic headed past a startled Martin Dubravka.
The Swedish-born central defender may well be back at Gallowgate in June,
playing for his chosen country of Bosnia-Herzegovinva against England.
The Blades somehow managed not to retake the lead from a trio of golden
opportunities just after the half hour; Dan Burn's timely
block, the goal frame and a wayward shot all saving the Toon.
Burn had earlier come to his team's aid with another vital interception to
prevent the visitors from opening up a two goal advantage.
Only Lewis Hall's effort late in the half was a threat; his side
failing to repeat what brought them eight goals at Bramall Lane earlier in the
season: namely shots at goal and set pieces to test a defence that had conceded 92
goals before today.
The desired improvement to the scoreline thankfully followed after the
resumption, when one replacement was made: a straight swap of Emil Krafth for
Fabian Schar, who had been visibly struggling at one point during the first half
but opted not to come off then.
Chris Wilder's side have routinely failed to build on positive starts to games
and today was to be no exception, allowing Guimaraes to head home when Anthony Gordon's looping
free kick found him at the back post.
Bruno's celebration routine consisted of lifting the Strawberry corner flag out
of the ground, but unlike Tino Asprilla he didn't hoist his shirt up on it.
Gordon then roused himself from his previous slumbers and charged into the box,
only to be illegally blocked by Holgate at the expense of penalty that
Isak rattled home for his 19th Premier League goal of the season and 23 in all
competitions.
3-1 then became 4-1 with a scruffy effort from inside the six yard box following
a scramble. What initially looked like a first goal for Elliot Anderson was
given to Bruno in the stadium but ended up as an own goal.
A fifth soon followed as substitute Wilson gleefully rattled in a deflected
Harvey Barnes shot - the Magpies by then mercilessly fielding a front four
consisting of Wilson, Isak, Gordon and Barnes.
Further replacements brought Alex Murphy and Matt Ritchie into the fray - the
latter amid chants of "he drives what he wants" from the
Gallowgate End in reference to him recently passing his LGV test.
The visitors were then awarded a dubious penalty in front of an away section
that was largely deserted, after Murphy tangled with Jayden Bogle. A VAR call
sent referee Tony Harrington to the pitchside monitor though and he was
persuaded to rule out his
initial spot kick award.
The expected outcome then and although not always pretty, another vital three
points - all that really matters at this stage. For all our home dominance this
season though, the fact that three of our remaining fixtures are away means that
success relies strongly on an uplift in away form.
In a season of stupendous statistics, our paltry return of 14 points on the road
so far is less than half of last season's total and no better than our
relegation-haunted next opponents, Burnley.
Biffa