Sheffield United were relegated after defeat at Newcastle

Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle recovered from a slow start to beat Chris Wilder’s side at St James’ Park.

Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding in Gustavo Hamer’s cross from close range.

The Blades created several chances to double their lead as Newcastle struggled to gain control of proceedings, but the hosts were level when Alexander Isak powered home from Jacob Murphy’s pass in the 26th minute.

Ben Brereton Diaz had a shot at goal blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes headed Lewis Hall’s delivery into the corner removed.

Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the hapless Ben Osborn slotted into his own net for Newcastle’s fourth.

Callum Wilson came off the bench for the hosts to score his first top-flight goal since October.

Sheffield United were awarded a late penalty but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee who ruled that Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge on Jayden Bogle.

The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points from safety with just three games remaining, while Newcastle remain seventh and are well placed to secure a place in Europe next season.

The writing has been on the wall for some time now for Wilder’s side, who started brightly on Saturday but fell to pieces after Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead.

The Blades have been locked in the bottom three since the end of September when they were beaten 8-0 by Eddie Howe’s side at Bramall Lane in their record league defeat.

Only Swindon Town have conceded more goals in a single Premier League season than the Blades, who now have 97 goals in 35 games.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession and could have doubled their advantage after Ahmedhodzic’s early opener, Cameron Archer having a shot deflected wide following a mazy run.

Archer then had another effort blocked by Burn, who was in the right place at the right time to prevent Brereton Diaz putting the visitors back in front after Isak’s equaliser.

Holgate was denied by the frame of the goal and Andre Brooks deflected a long-range effort early in the second half, but Newcastle never looked back after Guimaraes’ header.

Referee Tony Harrington awarded the visitors a spot-kick after Bogle went down under pressure from Alex Murphy, but Wilder’s side were denied a late consolation after VAR ruled the Newcastle defender had reached the ball.

The Magpies finally get going

If the home supporters were expecting a quick start from the Magpies after Wednesday’s poor defeat at Crystal Palace, they were left disappointed.

Howe’s side are aiming to secure European qualification for the second consecutive season but started the game as if they had little to play for, with the visitors dominating possession and first to every free ball.

Newcastle failed to hit after Isak’s equaliser, but almost completed the comeback on the stroke of half-time, but Wes Foderingham got a powerful left hand to Hall’s low shot from the edge of the box.

However, the hosts eventually took control after Guimaraes’ fifth goal of the campaign and could have added even more gloss to the scoreline after Wilson made it 5-1.

Newcastle have scored 13 league goals against the Blades this season – the most by one team against another in a single Premier League campaign.

The in-form Isak has found the net in his last seven appearances at St James’ Park – only Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer have enjoyed longer spells for the club.

Newcastle are now four points clear of eighth-placed West Ham with a game in hand and just a point behind sixth-placed Manchester United after the Red Devils were handed a late equalizer at home to Burnley on Saturday.