Sheffield United 0-2 Newcastle: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Magpies Secure Important Win

Newcastle United recorded an impressive away win as they beat Sheffield United 2-0 away at Bramall Lane, on Thursday night.

​Sheffield United started the brighter of the two sides and Martin Dubravka was forced into a smart stop after just five minutes from a deflected Enda Stevens strike. However, Newcastle took the lead as Allan Saint-Maximin climbed at the back post to guide a header past Dean Henderson to score his first goal since moving from Nice, with 15 minutes gone. 

It was the Frenchman’s first strike in 854 minutes for the club he joined this summer.

Allan Saint-Maximin

Dubravka was once again forced into a wonderful save as he denied Oli McBurnie’s header. Sheffield United spent almost the whole of the first half camped inside Newcastle’s half but were guilty of not taking their chances – especially Billy Sharp who fluffed his lines at the back post with the goal gaping.

The home team continued to struggle in the second half as Newcastle consistently frustrated, looking solid at the back and fast on the counter. Newcastle, bizarrely, took a 2-0 lead when Andy Carroll’s flick-on found a completely open Jonjo Shelvey who went through on goal uncontested and slotted past Henderson on 70 minutes. Originally, the goal was ruled out for offside but after a quick VAR check, Newcastle were correctly awarded the goal.

The Magpies shut the game out with their experience and kept the Blades at bay even after reinforcements were brought on by Chris Wilder. 

This is a huge result in the context of the season and pulls Newcastle further away from the bottom three.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Key Talking Point

Wilder’s men came into this game ninth in the table and had the chance to rise all the way up to sixth with a win.​

Billy Sharp

However, this result will not have been what they were wanting and a result that many wouldn’t have predicted. They dominated most of the game but squandered key chances in both the first and second half.

Even after their terrific start to the season, the Bramall Lane club need to be wary, having not won in their last four Premier League games.

Goals are increasingly an issue for the Blades, who continue to lack a cutting edge.

​Player Ratings

Starting XI: Henderson (4); Basham (5), Egan (5), O’Connell (5); Baldock (6), Lundstram (5), Norwood (6), Fleck (6), Stevens (7*); McBurnie (5), Sharp (5)

Substitutes: Mousset (5), McGoldrick (5), Freeman (5)

STAR PLAYER – It was a relatively lacklustre performance by the Blades in front of goal as their strikers continuously missed big chances when chasing the game. However, the provider of most of these chances was Enda Stevens.

Enda Stevens

He looked dangerous down the left flank for much of the game and delivered cross after cross. 

The wing-backs are key to Wilder’s system and Stevens is archetype for the 3-5-2 formation.

Key Talking Point

​

Newcastle came into the game looking over their shoulders, only two points clear of the relegation zone following results earlier this week.

This was the perfect away performance from Bruce’s side and they showed their experience in securing a vital three away points.

Dubravka kept them in the game in the first half but nothing should be taken away from how big of an achievement this is from the Magpies.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Dubravka (9*); Manquillo (7), Fernandez (7), Clark (6), Dummett (8), Willems (7); Almiron (5), Hayden (6), Shelvey (8), Saint-Maximin (8); ​Carroll (6)

Substitutes: Joelinton (5), Atsu (N/A), Krafth (N/A)

STAR PLAYER – Martin Dubravka pulled off some fantastic saves in the first half and ensured Newcastle kept a clean sheet on way to this impressive victory.


He marshalled from the back and kept Sheffield United at bay when his defence couldn’t. Honourable mentions to both goal scorers but without Dubravka, Newcastle could’ve been at least three behind at half time.

Looking Ahead

On Sunday, the Blades travel to Norwich hoping to bounce back from this poor result and will be expecting a reaction against the 19th placed Canaries.

Meanwhile, Newcastle host Southampton in a fixture that could have huge implications on the bottom half of the ​Premier League.​

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