Newcastle survived an early scare against Sheffield United and kept their European hopes well and truly alive with a thumping win in a real Jekyll and Hyde performance.
A brace from Alexander Isak – who scored on his seventh-straight game at St James’ Park – and goals from Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson and a Ben Osborne own-goal cancelled out Anel Ahmedhodzic’s opener for the Blades.
The victory sends us just one point behind sixth-place Man Utd, who conceded late in a 1-1 draw with Burnley, and six clear of Chelsea; who have two games in hand but face a tough trip to Aston Villa tonight.
Eddie Howe changed his backline again this season after a poor showing away to Crystal Palace midweek. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall started their first Premier League game together on either side of the back four, while Harvey Barnes dropped to the bench.
Sheffield United’s opener came through a well-worked corner in the fifth minute which was played short and then whipped in for an open Ahmedhodzic at the back post whose header went through Dubravka’s legs to stun the home crowd.
It could have quite easily been 3-0 to the bottom-placed side within the opening 16 minutes if not for some crucial blocks by Dan Burn, who saved us on several occasions in what was a pretty awful first half.
The leveller came admittedly against the run of play, but after Jacob Murphy slipped Isak in through the right-hand channel, the Swedish forward’s quality saw the ball pushed into the far corner to a collective outward breath of relief from the Toon army.
Burn made it a hattrick of goal-saving blocks on 30 minutes, stopping Brereton-Diaz’s strike and by half-time we were lucky not to be out of the game completely. After almost being withdrawn early on, Fabian Schar made way at the break, seeing Emil Krafth come on in his place as we came out to attack the Gallowgate.
Bruno Guimaraes nodded the Toon ahead in dramatic fashion, diving onto the ball from a freekick to smash it home. His celebration was pure joy, holding the corner flag aloft in proud defiance. It looked again like a message about his future and a thank you to Wor Flags, who produce a brilliant Brazilian display in the Gallowgate before kick off.
Isak wrapped up his brace just after the hour mark after Gordon was felled in the box, with the Swedish striker slotting home the spot-kick calmly to move level with Demba Ba’s Premier League goal tally for the Toon.
The Blades were a shadow of their first-half selves in the second period and this was reflected on the 65th minute bundled own-goal by Ben Osborne who somehow managed to chop a backheel into the net after a scramble in the box.
Seven minutes later we had another after subs Barnes and Wilson combined to deadly effect. Wilson smashed the ball home for his eighth of the season and it was good to see him back among the goals.
For all we were poor in the first half, we were clinical and effective in the second. The gulf in quality was visible and Bruno’s goal deflated the visitors, who were relegated as a result of the 5-1 defeat.
A great day for Newcastle United after a worrying start to the afternoon, as we ran riot while Man Utd slipped up. Next up for the Toon, a trip to Burnley next weekend before a return to St James’ Park to face Brighton in two weeks time.
NUFC XI: Dubravka – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Karius, Dummett, Wilson, Ritchie, Barnes, Krafth, White, A Murphy, Parkinson
Doesn’t quite fall into the ‘game of 2 halves’ category but not far off.
Much better, clinical second half from the boys.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Any idea what was up with Schar??,
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hamstring mate
Icedog(Quote)
Cheers Ice – so that could be him for the season too then 🤦🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hate the way Howe spoke about Isak in the post match interview – as if there’s an inevitability that he’ll be sold.
I’m not stupid, I know it’s entirely possible he might be – but I’d rather Howe spoke with a defiance.
I know finishing 6th and Europa football isn’t the level Isak will be wanting – but he looks happy in the team, he’s scoring for fun & has a great rapport with the fans.
I can see him being in great demand in the summer.
I think the club will do all they can to keep him – setting his price tag high. I think Isak will be happy to stay – depending on which club it is wanting him.
I remember losing Andy Cole & it broke my heart – but we got Shearer. I think if we sell Isak I’m certain the club would put it all back into the team – but Isak will be a difficult player to replace.
The only thing I keep telling myself is there’s been life after Kane for Spurs.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Another game that was a bit like the curate’s egg ‘good in parts’
We can’t expect much more with a lack of consistency, due mainly to our injury record and player shuffling. The return of a fully fit Big Joe, Pope, Botman Tripp’s and Tonali and we wouldn’t look half bad. Add to that a couple of good squad purchases in this window and our ‘rook’ of youngsters and players out on loan. I think our squad for next season could bring that much needed strength and consistency.
But that’s me my glass is always half full!!
nutmag(Quote)
Sharpy Yes Andy Cole was a big loss but you can add too him Gazza, Beardesly, Waddle, Super Mac. and several others. The first and big one for me was Len Shackleton and he went to Sunderland. ‘God I’m getting old’
nutmag(Quote)
Oh you can add most of the ‘entertainers’ too when KK left!
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – I was going to say, no I can’t mate coz I wasn’t old enough to really understand the impact of those ones 😂.
Cole felt like a huge one at the time coz his partnership with Pedro was deadly.
It’s starting to feel that way with Gordon & Isak – though those 2 cost over £100m and Cole & Pedro cost around £2m 😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we can keep the likes of Isak & Bruno then I think we may have a kitty of around £50m – we could still work with that if we are savvy in the free transfer & loan market.
We could raise more with the sale of some players – Miggy, Wilson, Longstaff for example .. or do we keep Wilson & Longstaff as squad players?! – the conversations that will be had I imagine,
That scenario I think sees most of that money being spent on the RWF with the likes of Kelly & Tosin coming as a free transfer.
If we can’t get them as a free we may decide to sell to raise the cash to buy those improvements.
If we have to sell then Bruno would like bring the most money in with him costing £40m and sold for £100m (if the release clause is triggered).
I’d probably be more comfortable with him leaving despite being a huge fan of the lad.
I think he’d be easier to replace & it would mean we don’t break up that partnership with Gordon & Isak.
But between Bruno & Isak, I think Bruno would be more keen to stay – though I don’t think either are particularly pushing for a move.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy Didn’t we get a couple of players coming to us in the Andy Cole deal? I know Gillespie was one and became a regular on RW, can’t remember the other ‘Age again’ lol.
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – I only remember Gillespie mate, and that was genius knowing Shearer was coming in really.
I could see similar if we sold Isak to Arsenal for example – with us taking Ramsdale & someone like Smith Rowe, Nelson or Nketiah plus cash for example.
But that said, I don’t know of many deals now that involves another player going the other way.
I guess the main reason i suggest that is coz I know Willock is still good friends with the 3 outfield players I mention & that may see them look to join him up here with more game time likely with NUFC as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy That was one of Keegan’s talents knowing how he wanted to play and going for the players that fit the system. How long did it take him to get Les Ferdinand and nobody but him thought Asprilla was a good fit. I did read that he once went to cast an eye over a player but after watching him before the match and his attitude entering the field discounted him and didn’t even watch him play. In a way I liked his attitude to all opposition ‘If they score 4 we will score 5’
nutmag(Quote)
My preference would absolutely be to keep Bruno & Isak but I think if we do that our recruitment would mainly be around strengthening the squad rather than the first time.
We may have some money to improve the RWF position – but if we play Barnes LWF and Gordon RWF I think it would be just improving the players behind them in the squad.
Is Hall the LB we’ve been looking for or does the money need spending there?!.
Do we stick with Longstaff until Tonali comes back or does money need spending there?!.
Do we accept Wilson will miss a lot of games but scores for fun when fit, or does money need spending to replace him?!.
One things for certain in all of this – we need to get Ashworth out & his replacement working on these things ASAP imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nutmag – it was a great period for the city not just the team imo mate.
But yeah he had an eye for the right player – starting with Killer Kilcline.
Age didn’t matter either, young or older if he thought that player was what the team needed at that time, he got them – I’m thinking of players like Venison & Bracewell.
But how he found players like Cole & Rob Lee when the scouting system would have been nothing like it is today is amazing.
He & his team – Terry Mc, Arthur Cox et al were simply sensational mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy They were certainly great times all round and appreciated because the decades of dour stuff we had suffered. (And were to suffer again ‘Ashley’) but all things come at a price. Keegan had to loose the academy and other things to afford it. Hopefully we are not forced into anything like that now and are building for the future as well as the present.
No more coming home from the match (or pub) and kicking the cat so the family is happier and certainly the cat everybody wins when the team does.
nutmag(Quote)
Brighton seem to be falling apart!
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – I think it’s one of the things that pleases me the most about the new owners – they seem to be as keen on making sure our youth teams are as well stocked with talent as strengthening the first team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We don’t sell a dea cat to the big six. The can all go do . If we do sell they go abroad.
premandup(Quote)
I’ve just watched Spurs v Arsenal and I hope the pundits call it for what it was!!.
Spurs did not near punish Arsenal – Arsenal nearly punished Arsenal. An error by the keeper & Rice making a mistake to give a penalty away – but Spurs & their forwards in particular did not cause Arsenal any problems the whole game.
Furthermore, Spurs gifted Arsenal the win with poor defending – from 2 corners & Ben Davies allowing Saka back on his left foot – really poor defending.
I think 1-11 with all players available, we are a better side than Spurs. They probably have better options in their squad and slightly more quality in depth.
But if we can keep our top players and improve our squad quality and options, then I think we go ahead of them next season – there is still a very real chance we get ahead of them by the end of this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem – I understand why you say that and my preference would first be keep them, then if we had to sell they go abroad – BUT and it’s a huge BUT, if the deal is right for us then so be it.
They all seem to deal with each other, and they certainly have players in their squads that I think would do well playing regularly under Howe.
But to make perfectly clear – I want to keep them!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree, keep em, but if Bruno to Barcelona for over £100m then I understand. The big six have given us nowt. We give them Faque awl
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – don’t you think we might need to try and break that though mate. I certainly don’t mean by looking to go do business with them, but I think of the players that have been moved round – particularly between Arsenal, Chelsea & City and they are better for it 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d follow that up by saying I’d never do business with Man Utd again after their nonsense with Lingard & how they have conducted themselves around Ashworth.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would look to see if we can loan Bererton Diaz next season – with an option to buy.
I know he’s listed as a LW but he’s more of a LWF come CF imo.
He’s only 25 and he’s scored 5 in 11 in a very poor Sheff Utd side.
I think he’s a good finisher & could be decent cover for LWF and CF.
Sharpy17(Quote)
No way we should sell to top 6 sides.
kimtoon(Quote)
We will have scored our record number of PL goals this season – which is amazing to think we are still managing to break records despite all the injury issues.
With that being the case, do we still focus our funds on RWF and/or back up CFs for Isak – or do we spend on the defensive side of the team to balance out the goals difference which should in turn result in more points.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I think we need to look at more defenders but we also need to look for a replacement for Wilson who sadly can’t stay fit and wouldn’t be surprised if he moves on come summer.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I agree but Howe loves Wilson. We all do – he’s an outstanding goal scorer, but his injury record is just rotten.
I can’t only see him replacing Wilson if the right player comes along.
I think our focus should be on defensive improvements coz CB wise, we only have Botman at ‘the right age’.
I also think we need that DCM. When you look at City & Arsenal – their 2 key players are Rodri & Rice. We don’t have that player imo.
We also need that back up to Pope. No disrespect to Dubravka but it’s too big a drop off in quality.
I know it won’t be the sexy Hollywood signings we hope for, but a GK, RCB and DCM could make the biggest difference to our progression next season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
My stats are down atm but looking at DM Stats Bruno is about sixth and Rodri and Rice are not significantly better. It’s just that we play Bruno as a progressive 6 pushing up to support the attack.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – would you keep Bruno as that no 6 and get a ACM in or would you get a DCM and move Bruno further forward – or do you think we need to do anything with midfield at all?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lots of chat about Tosin today. I rate the lad, but don’t want to buy into too many rumours as I’m sure there’ll be plenty on Isak & Bruno as the window gets closer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Tonali gets a 2 month suspended ban.
I’m pleased, but have to say I think the lad has been lucky. 50 further breaches after his Italian investigation is pretty hefty.
Hopefully the lad can control his addiction & gets all the help & support he needs.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Our basic plan is when we have the ball Bruno pushes up from 6 towards 10 to help create chances. If we losg the ball Longstaff covers back whilst we try to recover via a press. Filing to cover we all get back ASAP.
Unless we change tactics having a no 6 who holds station to cover a break reduces our attacking options. What we appear to be doing is having 2 progressive no 6s Tonali and Bruno on more flexible approach
Premandup(Quote)
sorry – failing to recover –
Premandup(Quote)
Prem – yeah I think I’m struggling with Tonali as I’ve not seen too much of him – especially in a Newcastle shirt.
The role you’re describing is exactly what Rodri & Rice do too really isn’t it.
I think the fact we get Tonali back 2 games in may mean we don’t bring in a midfielder in the summer & see how our current crop get on.
I have to say, a midfield of Joelinton, Bruno & Tonali with Gordon, Isak & Barnes is pretty exciting. Pope in goal, Botman CB, Tino RB – so upgrades on Schar & LB maybe the priority – certainly squad depth beyond that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
GK – Pope, DUBRAVKA
RB – Trippier, Tino
LB – Targett, Hall
LCB – Botman, Burn
RCB – Schar, LASCELLES
RCM – Bruno, LONGSTAFF
CM – Tonali, MILEY
LCM – Joelinton, Willock
LWF – Barnes, Anderson
RWF – Gordon, MURPHY, MIGGY
CF – Isak, WILSON
In capitals are those I think need either moving on or upgrading – except Miley who I think loan out to allow him to get more minutes than he’ll get staying with us.
I’m not saying do all this window & the likes of Longstaff & Murphy I’d be happy to keep as squad players. They have done a decent job this season to be fair. But if we want to mix it with the top 4, we can’t depend on them for larger parts of a season imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see Everton could go into admin if takeover falls which looks likely
Icedog(Quote)