It’s a new low for Bruce’s Magpies
NEWCASTLE United became the first side to lose a league game against Sheffield United this season as the Magpies suffered an embarrassing defeat at Bramall Lane.
The black-and-whites were distinct second best even before they went down to 10 men just before half-time after Ryan Fraser was sent off for a double booking.
Substitute Billy Sharp deservedly put the Blades in front from the spot on 73 minutes after VAR awarded the hosts a penalty.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
A NEW LOW FOR BRUCE’S NEWCASTLE
Sheffield United may have been languishing at the foot of the table, having claimed just two points all season, but Steve Bruce talked up the ‘very good’ Blades’ side ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Bramall Lane. That respect was reflected in his choice of formation and game plan, too, despite the Premier League’s basement boys scoring just eight league goals all season..
Bruce stuck with a back five to match up Chris Wilder’s side and the Newcastle head coach seemed to have the host’s physicality in mind as he picked a number of his taller players (Ryan Fraser aside).
We did not see Newcastle get in Sheffield United players’ faces and, despite playing with a back five, the visitors were cut open time and time again.
David McGoldrick and Jayden Bogle both spurned decent opportunities to break the deadlock for the hosts, who made Newcastle look like the side who were cut adrift at the bottom of the table, before substitute Billy Sharp deservedly put the hosts ahead from the spot on 73 minutes after VAR awarded the Blades a penalty.
There have been some poor displays from Newcastle this season – who could forget the Magpies’ Carabao Cup exit against second-string Brentford just before Christmas? – but this was brutal.
RYAN FRASER’S RED CARD IS NOT AN EXCUSE
Ryan Fraser’s new team-mates may have been teasing the ‘wee man’ about his new bleached hairstyle in training ahead of this game but the Scot let his side down at Bramall Lane.
Yes, Fraser was trying to get back and help his team, and there was no doubt that the winger had been frustrated with a lack of touches in the first half, but his double booking in the space of just three minutes was nothing short of idiotic.
As poor as Newcastle were in the first half, at least the visitors could have regrouped at half-time with 11 men if Fraser, one of the few attackers on the field, had not managed to get himself sent off just before the break.
However, saying that, Fraser’s red card should not be used as an excuse for Newcastle’s poor overall display. Before the 26-year-old went for an early bath, Newcastle had not even managed a shot on target and were lucky to be level given the chances, territory and possession Sheffield United had.
FABIAN SCHAR ‘SHOT’ SUMS UP NIGHT
Following Fraser’s red card, Bruce switched to a 4-1-3-1 as Fabian Schar moved into midfield, but if Newcastle could have dropped any deeper than they did in the first half, they certainly did so after the break.
Callum Wilson was even more isolated up front and the striker played most of the second half in his own half as Newcastle sat in and the Blades laid siege with David McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster and Billy Sharp all on the field.
Newcastle eventually registered their first ‘shot’ on target with 63 minutes on the clock, but Schar’s decision to try and lob goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from distance summed up the Magpies’ night.
Sheffield United had not won a league game all season yet Newcastle could not even lay a glove on the Blades – even when they had 11 men on the field.
KARL DARLOW EMERGES WITH CREDIT AS NO 1
Martin Dubravka may have the No 1 on his back but Steve Bruce confirmed that Karl Darlow ‘had the jersey’ after his man of the match performance against Liverpool last month.
However, after Dubravka’s impressive return to action at Arsenal on Saturday, following six months out with a heel injury, Bruce stopped short of confirming who his firstchoice goalkeeper was going to be.
Dubravka, after all, showed no signs of rustiness as Newcastle’s 2020 player of the year made impressive saves to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Joe Willock and Granit Xhaka.
But it was Darlow who came back into the side against Sheffield United to make his 17th consecutive league start between the sticks and the goalkeeper made three important saves to deny David McGoldrick and Jadon Bogle (twice) before Sharp eventually put his side ahead.
THE DANGER AHEAD FOR NEWCASTLE
Newcastle may still be eight points clear of the relegation zone but the Magpies, who have not won any of their last eight games in all competitions, have played two more matches than 18th-placed Fulham.
It is a huge if but if Fulham win both of those games in hand, the Cottagers will reduce that gap to just two points and there is still a lot of football to play this season.
On this evidence, it is hard to see the Magpies claiming many points from upcoming games against Arsenal, Leeds and Everton before the month is out.