Sheffield United’s Premier League relegation was secured as Newcastle defeated Chris Wilder’s team at St. James’ Park, rallying from a slow start.
Anel Ahmedhodzic headed home Gustavo Hamer’s inswinging cross from close range to give the visitors a well-earned early lead.
As Newcastle attempted to take control of the game, the Blades created many opportunities to extend their lead, but in the 26th minute, Alexander Isak scored off Jacob Murphy’s ball to square the score.
After half an hour, Dan Burn saved a goal-bound attempt by Ben Brereton Diaz, and Mason Holgate headed against the crossbar, but Bruno Guimaraes headed Lewis Hall’s cross into the far corner to give the visitors an early lead.
After Holgate took down Anthony Gordon, Isak scored his 23rd goal of the year from the penalty spot. Ben Osborn then unintentionally bundled into his own net for Newcastle’s fourth goal.
For the hosts, Callum Wilson scored his first Premier League goal since October after coming off the bench.
The video assistant referee reversed Sheffield United’s late penalty award, ruling that Alex Murphy, a replacement for the Magpies, had won the ball in a challenge with Jayden Bogle.
With three games left, the loss puts the Blades 10 points outside of safety, while Newcastle stays in seventh position and is certain to play in Europe next season.
For Wilder’s team, the writing has long been on the wall. Despite their strong start on Saturday, they collapsed when Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead.
Since late September, when Eddie Howe’s squad destroyed the Blades 8-0 at Bramall Lane in their league record defeat, the team has been in the bottom three.
With 35 games played, the Blades have already let up 97 goals, more than any other Premier League team save Swindon Town.
The most goals a side has scored against another in a single Premier League season is 13 by Newcastle against the Blades this season.
Only Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole have had longer scoring streaks for the team than the in-form Isak, who has scored in seven of his last eight games at St. James’ Park.
With a game remaining, Newcastle is currently four points clear of eighth-place West Ham and just one point behind sixth-place Manchester United after the latter’s late equalizer against Burnley on Saturday.
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