Newcastle 5 Sheff Utd 1
As Newcastle continue to try and force their way into the European qualification places, they welcomed a Sheff Utd side who would be relegated mathematically with defeat at St James’ Park. The dream would be finally over without anything but victory for Chris Wilder’s side.
The Magpies have been in good form of late and are always a force to be reckoned with at home. Although it was the visitors who started the brighter as Hamer whipped in a corner and Ahmedhodzic headed home from two yards out.
It was the perfect start for The Blades and they continued to press. Archer picked up the ball on the left and skipped past a defender, giving himself a clear sight of goal. As he got his shot off, it deflected off the thigh of Burn, going behind for another corner.
Despite their attacking prowess, Sheff Utd have been shipping goals like a life-coach. Murphy slotted a ball in behind the defence for Isak to run onto. The Swedish striker struck his effort first time into the far corner of the goal to draw Newcastle level.
Credit: @premierleague
The Blades almost took the lead once again when Ahmedhodzic slotted Brereton Diaz in. He took the ball around Dubravka and looked to roll it into an empty net until the sliding tackle of Burn once again saved The Magpies.
From the resulting corner, the ball dropped to Holgate who headed against the post. As it was then half-cleared, Brooks drilled a shot from the penalty spot that missed the post by a matter of inches. Chris Wilder’s side had spurned so many chances to score at St James’ Park.
Into the second half and Newcastle looked more like themselves. Gordon floated in a free kick and a diving header from Guimaraes beat Foderingham and nestled into the far corner. Whatever Eddie Howe had said at half time worked and The Magpies had the lead.
Gordon continued to cause problems for the visitors and was bundled over in the box and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Isak stepped up and buried the ball in the bottom corner to seemingly put the game beyond the visitors.
Newcastle forced a corner and as Andersen’s header was blocked, Osborn dragged the ball into his own net although he knew little about it. What had started as a good day for The Blades was turning into a horror show in the North East.
Things went from bad to worse when substitute Wilson drilled the ball into the top corner to make the scoreline seem a convincing win for the hosts. In truth, both sides had plenty of chances in this game it is just that Newcastle were the more clinical.
Credit: @NUFC
Sheff Utd thought they had won a late penalty when the referee pointed to the spot after Bogle went to ground. However, VAR reviewed it and suggested he go to the monitor and soon reversed his decision. This pretty much summed up the day for The Blades.
Eddie Howe’s side took all three points and moved to within a point of Man Utd. As for Sheff Utd, they now know they will definitely be playing in the Championship next season as their efforts to stay up fizzle out with Premier League football having seemed too much for them.
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