Sheff Utd relegated with thumping loss to Newcastle
Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle recovered from a sluggish start to thrash Chris Wilder's side at St James' Park.
Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding home Gustavo Hamer's inswinging cross from close range.
The Blades carved out several opportunities to double their advantage as Newcastle struggled to gain a grip on proceedings, but the home side were level when Alexander Isak drilled home from Jacob Murphy's pass in the 26th minute.
Ben Brereton Diaz had a goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour mark, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes steered Lewis Hall's delivery into the far corner.
Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the unfortunate Ben Osborn bundled 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 Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge with Jayden Bogle.
The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining, while Newcastle stay seventh and are well placed to secure a spot in Europe next season.
Reaction to Newcastle United v Sheffield United and the rest of Saturday's Premier League actionHow did you rate Newcastle's performance? Have your say hereWhat did you make of Sheffield United's performance? Send us your views hereBlades fall apart after bright startThe writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Wilder's side, who started brightly on Saturday but fell to pieces after Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead.
The Blades have been stuck in the bottom three since late September, when they were thrashed 8-0 by Eddie Howe's team 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 have now shipped 97 goals in 35 games.
The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession and could have doubled their lead after Ahmedhodzic's early opener, with 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 leveller.
Holgate was denied by the frame of the goal and Andre Brooks skewed a long-range effort wide early in the second half, but Newcastle never looked back after Guimaraes' header.
Referee Tony Harrington awarded the visitors a late spot-kick after Bogle went down under pressure from Alex Murphy, but Wilder's team were denied a late consolation after VAR ruled the Newcastle defender had got his toe to the ball.
Magpies eventually get goingIf the home supporters were expecting a fast start from the Magpies after Wednesday's limp defeat at Crystal Palace, they were left disappointed.
Howe's team are aiming to secure European qualification for the second season in succession but started the game as if they had little to play for, with the visitors dominating possession and first to every loose ball.
Newcastle failed to kick on after Isak's equaliser but very nearly completed the turnaround on the stroke of half-time, but Wes Foderingham got a strong left hand to Hall's low drive from the edge of the box.
However, the hosts finally 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 one team has registered against another in a single Premier League campaign.
In-form Isak has found the net in his past seven appearances at St James' Park - only Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer have enjoyed longer streaks for the club.
Newcastle are now four points clear of eighth-placed West Ham with a game in hand and just a point behind Manchester United in sixth, after the Red Devils conceded a late equaliser at home to Burnley on Saturday.
Player of the match
IsakAlexander Isak
with an average of 8.57
Squad number14Player nameIsak
Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães
Squad number9Player nameWilson
Squad number10Player nameGordon
Squad number33Player nameBurn
Squad number15Player nameBarnes
Squad number20Player nameHall
Squad number21Player nameLivramento
Squad number17Player nameKrafth
Squad number11Player nameRitchie
Squad number54Player nameMurphy
Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Squad number5Player nameSchär
Squad number1Player nameDúbravka
Squad number32Player nameAnderson
Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Squad number11Player nameBrereton
Squad number8Player nameHamer
Squad number24Player nameArblaster
Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic
Squad number10Player nameArcher
Squad number35Player nameBrooks
Squad number18Player nameFoderingham
Squad number20Player nameBogle
Squad number23Player nameOsborn
Squad number30Player nameHolgate
Squad number5Player nameTrusty
Squad number32Player nameOsula
Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza
Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane
Squad number19Player nameRobinson
Formation 4-3-3
1Dúbravka21Livramento5SchärSubstituted forKrafthat 45'minutes33Burn20HallSubstituted forMurphyat 82'minutes36S Longstaff39Bruno Guimarães32AndersonSubstituted forWilsonat 66'minutes23MurphySubstituted forBarnesat 66'minutes14Isak10GordonSubstituted forRitchieat 82'minutesSubstitutes3Dummett9Wilson11Ritchie15Barnes17Krafth18Karius40White54Murphy63ParkinsonFormation 3-5-2
18Foderingham30HolgateSubstituted forRobinsonat 67'minutes15Ahmedhodzic5Trusty20Bogle8HamerSubstituted forBen Slimaneat 79'minutes24Arblaster35BrooksSubstituted forde Souza Costaat 70'minutes23Osborn10ArcherSubstituted forOsulaat 67'minutes11BreretonSubstitutes13Grbic16Norwood19Robinson21de Souza Costa25Ben Slimane27Larouci29Curtis32Osula34MarshReferee:Tony Harrington
Attendance:52,196
Match ends, Newcastle United 5, Sheffield United 1.
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 5, Sheffield United 1.
Attempt blocked. Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Osborn.
Foul by Alex Murphy (Newcastle United).
Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
VAR Decision: No Penalty Sheffield United.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Auston Trusty (Sheffield United).
Attempt saved. William Osula (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Vinicius Souza.
Tino Livramento (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ben Brereton (Sheffield United).
Foul by Emil Krafth (Newcastle United).
William Osula (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Harvey Barnes (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United).
Substitution, Newcastle United. Matt Ritchie replaces Anthony Gordon.
Substitution, Newcastle United. Alex Murphy replaces Lewis Hall.
Emil Krafth (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by William Osula (Sheffield United).
Foul by Lewis Hall (Newcastle United).