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Season 2023-24
Sheffield United (h) Premier League

 


Date:
Saturday 27th April 2024, 3pm
(not on live UK TV)

Venue:
St. James' Park

Conditions: Persistent
 



Newcastle

Sheffield United

 

5 - 1


 

Teams

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


Following their 8-0 win at Bramall Lane, another five goals here gave Newcastle an aggregate 13 over the season against the same opponent, which is a new Premier League record and something not done in the top flight since Burnley twice humped Birmingham City in 1961/62 (7-1 & 6-2).

It's not a club high however; the Magpies put 15 past Newport County in the 1946/47 season - 13 without reply on Tyneside and another two in South Wales during a 2-4 reverse. 

Having taken six points off Aston Villa and Fulham, United wrapped up their third PL win double this season. They have the opportunity to increase that total in all three remaining three away games.

Alexander Isak reached 19 PL goals for the season as he netted for his seventh successive home game. He's still to register a first treble for the club, this his seventh PL brace. The Swede is the first Magpie to reach 19 PL goals since Alan Shearer managed 22 in 2003/04. 

PL top scorers per season - top 10:

1993/94 Andy Cole (34)
1995/96 Les Ferdinand (25)
1996/97 Alan Shearer (25)
1999/00 Alan Shearer (23)
2001/02 Alan Shearer (23)
2003/04 Alan Shearer (22)
2023/24 Alexander Isak (19)
2022/23 Callum Wilson (18)
2002/03 Alan Shearer (17)
2011/12 Demba Ba (16)

Isak now has 29 in that competition, taking him past Obafemi Martins on 28 and putting him level with both Demba Ba and Gary Speed. The next target in his sights is Ayoze Perez on 33.

He's also in the running for the Premier League golden boot award, only previously won twice by current Magpies (Cole in 1993/94 and Shearer in 1996/97):

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 21
Cole Palmer (Chelsea) 20
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) 19
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) 19
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) 18

Callum Wilson's 46th PL goal as a Magpie gives him a share of second spot in the club's scoring charts for that competition along with Peter Beardsley. Alan Shearer has 148. 

Wilson's strike was the 14th PL goal scored by a Magpies substitute so far in 2023/24 and took him just six minutes - good but not a patch on Matt Ritchie's 52 second one here versus Bournemouth. Callum's quickest goal as a substitute remains his 65 second effort at home to Spurs last season.

Bruno Guimaraes moved on to 14 PL goals, taking him level with current colleagues Joe Willock and Fabian Schar plus old boy Loic Remy.

With one game at SJP left, Newcastle made it 12 PL home wins - exceeding last season's total of 11. One has to go back to 2002/03 for a higher total (15). 

That's now 18 successive penalties converted in the PL for Newcastle, Isak's 100% record now seven spot kicks scored (eight in eight including the FA Cup).

The Magpies have now scored 74 goals in the PL, the joint highest total we've netted in a 38 game PL season - beaten only by the 82 we hit during the 46 game 1993/94 campaign.

In terms of home games only, Eddie Howe's side have 48 goals to their name. That's their third-highest total, exceeded only by 54 (1996/97) and 51 (1993/94).

With 47 games played in all competitions so far, United have scored 91 goals (excluding penalty shootouts) this season. They've only exceeded that total in four previous PL seasons:

1996/97 93 goals (51 games)
1994/95 95 goals (56 games)
1993/94 97 goals (48 games)
2001/02 106 goals (53 games)

NB: Our 2023/24 campaign will consist of 51 games.

Blades in Toon - last 10:

2023/24 won 5-1 Isak 2, Bruno, OG, Wilson
2020/21
won 1-0 Willock
2019/20 won 3-0 Saint-Maximin, Ritchie, Joelinton
2009/10 won 2-1 Lovenkrands, Nolan
2006/07 lost 0-1
1999/00 won 4-1 Shearer, Dabizas, Ferguson, Gallacher (FAC)
1993/94 won 4-0 Beardsley 2, OG, Cole
1989/90 won 2-0 Gallacher, Quinn
1988/89 won 2-0 Hendrie, Mirandinha (LC)
1985/86 drew 1-1 Cunningham (FR)

Newcastle achieved their 50th victory over the Blades in all competitions and are now just two off a double century of goals against them.

Full record v Sheff Utd:
 

  P W D L F A
SJP 57 34 13 10 118 56
BL 57 10 13 34 61 100
League 114 44 26 44 179 156
SJP(FA) 6 3 1 2 11 11
BL 4 2 1 1 4 2
SJP(LC) 2 1 0 1 2 2
BL 3 0 1 2 2 7
Cup 15 6 3 6 19 22
Tot 129 50 29 50 198 178

 


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


 



Page last updated 24 June, 2024