Newcastle United 5 Sheffield United 1 – How do you explain this? | OneFootball

Not quite sure how to explain this one!

If you had only seen the first half, or even the first 53 minutes, then hadn’t watched the rest of the match. You would never have believed what would happen in the next 20 minutes and then how the final score would read.

With nothing to lose, Sheffield United had a real go. Already knowing relegation was all but mathematically certain, the visitors started well, very well.

In midweek they had led 1-0 and 2-1 at Old Trafford before losing 4-2.

Today they could have been three or four up by the break and it wouldn’t have been a surprise.

They created at least half a dozen great chances in that first half, taking the first of those after only five minutes, a corner taken short and worked out, then a deep ball into the box and the unmarked Ahmedhodzic heading home from only around six yards out.

Thankfully, that was the last of Sheffield United’s clinical finishing.

The visitors hit the woodwork, missed from only seven yards out with the goal gaping, then another attempt saw Burn somehow deflect a close in chance over the bar with Dubravka beaten. A Blades forward then rounding the Newcastle keeper and once again Burn to the rescue as he managed to just get back in time and a desperate lunge stopped the ball rolling into the net.

United struggled at the other end.

Picking the wrong option to pass or shoot time after time, losing possession, too slow in the build up and so on.

It felt like Bruno Guimaraes was single-handedly trying to get us back into this game and it felt like many of those around him were a mile behind in speed of thought and connection with the Brazilian.

Murphy had a shocker today but on 26 minutes out of nowhere found a great pass for Isak to run onto with his clever movement, despite the only threat in the company of four or five defenders, he got onto the pass and a top class finish across the keeper.

Not long after, Isak flashed another one from outside the box  a yard or two wide, whilst Hall had a great low effort from 20+ yards out bringing out a very good save from Wes Foderingham.

That was all really though from an attacking NUFC perspective and the crowd giving a huge sigh of relief that we were level at the break and could regroup.

However, after the break looking still flat.

Krafth had replaced Schar who looked less than 100 per cent. He has been a real star this season but maybe ideally needs a bit of a rest.

Everything changed though on 54 minutes though, an excellent right side free-kick from Gordon met Bruno at the far post to head home and that was that.

It ended up the first of four goals in twenty minutes as Newcastle moved into second gear and blew them away.

Gordon doing so well to win a penalty that Isak coolly dispatched, as normal. A comedy own goal in a crowded box, then Wilson does what he does best, finishing in style only six minutes after coming on.

Newcastle United threatened to add more in the minutes that followed, only for Eddie Howe and his team to ease off, more subs made as both Matt Ritchie and Alex Murphy got a chance.

As Newcastle cruised to the final whistle, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, at the wrong end!

Alex Murphy had clearly won the ball before the player through himself to the ground and thankfully VAR rescued the situation, the ref reversing the decision once he saw the replay.

Newcastle United have had some serious bad luck this season but the first half today gave us a little bit back.

The record books will show a 5-1 home win and that is all that matters.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle United 5 Sheffield United 1 – Saturday 27 April 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 26 61 pen, Bruno 54, OG 65, Wilson 72

Sheffield United:

Ahmedhodzic 5

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Sheff Utd 41% (42%) Newcastle 59% (58%)

Total shots were Sheff Utd 14 (10) Newcastle 20 (10)

Shots on target were Sheff Utd 5 (3) Newcastle 7 (2)

Corners were Sheff Utd 5 (4) Newcastle 4 (1)

Referee: Tony Harrington

Newcastle team v Crystal Palace:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar (Krafth 46), Burn, Hall (A Murphy 82), Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson (Wilson 66), J Murphy (Barnes 66), Gordon (Ritchie 82), Isak

Unused subs:

Karius, Dummett, White, Parkinson

Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:

Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)