By the end, Sheffield United were probably relieved that their next league assignment in the north-east will be at Sunderland or Middlesbrough. Long before the final whistle brought confirmation of a relegation to the Championship that the visiting manager, Chris Wilder, had already deemed “inevitable”, his players had seen more than enough of Newcastle and Alexander Isak in particular.
Eddie Howe’s side have now scored 13 Premier League goals this season against the Blades. This latest quintet, with two registered by the excellent Isak, enhanced their hopes of hosting European nights at St James’ Park next season.
Yet although it was ultimately straightforward, any notions that the first half might be a gentle canter towards victory for Newcastle were quickly debunked when the fallout from a short corner routine led to the unmarked Anel Ahmedhodzic, who headed Sheffield United into a surprise lead. If the visitors aimed to atone for their 8-0 home defeat to the same opponents in September, they at least started the right way.
That goal served as a reminder of Newcastle’s enduring vulnerability at set pieces but at least Howe can rely on Isak. The Sweden striker’s 18th Premier League goal of the season drew them level, with his beautifully calibrated right-footed shot leaving Wes Foderingham helpless in the Sheffield United goal. Isak had been released by a fabulous through pass from Jacob Murphy.
Creditably, Chris Wilder’s players refused to fold and could count themselves slightly unfortunate not to equalise when Dan Burn blocked Ben Brereton Díaz’s shot after the striker had rounded Martin Dubravka. Mason Holgate saw another shot rebound off a post.
Captained by their gifted 19-year-old central midfielder Oliver Arblaster, Sheffield United were operating with an apparent freedom from fear of making mistakes and a seemingly burning determination to show they could play a bit after all.
It was all so very different from their surrender at Bramall Lane last Saturday when they were sunk 4-1 by Burnley, prompting plenty of harsh words from Wilder. His scathing criticism evidently exerted the desired effect, resulting in an improved midweek performance as they lost 4-2 at Manchester United.
Arblaster is the seventh Blade to have worn the captain’s armband this season and he played a key role in ensuring that it was Newcastle’s turn to experience an unexpected fright.
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Cameron Archer’s rapid change of pace and clever attacking movement continued to worry Howe’s rearguard. But Bruno Guimarães then demonstrated precisely why the release clause in his Newcastle contact is set at £100m by heading Anthony Gordon’s free-kick beyond Foderingham.
Suddenly Sheffield United had few answers to Newcastle’s questions. After Holgate sent Gordon tumbling in the area Isak increased their lead from the penalty spot, Ben Osborn then back-heeled into his own goal and the substitute Callum Wilson used his right foot to score his side’s fifth.
The visitors thought they had won a penalty when another substitute, Alex Murphy, appeared to fell Jayden Bogle but a VAR review prompted the referee, Tony Harrington, to change his mind.
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