Latest capitulation just epitomises Blades’ sorry season, says Wilder
CHRIS Wilder said Sheffield United’s capitulation at Newcastle United was the story of their season as their relegation to the Championship was confirmed at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The Blades took a deserved fifthminute lead through Anel Ahmedhodzic to silence a crowd of 52,196 as the Magpies turned in a dismal first-half performance, yet still went in level at the break courtesy of Alexander Isak’s 26th-minute strike.
They scored four times inside 18 second-half minutes through Bruno Guimaraes, Isak, Ben Osborn’s own goal and substitute Callum Wilson to secure a 5-1 win which relegated the visitors and took their total against them in two games this season to a Premier League record 13 goals following September’s 8-0 victory at Bramall Lane.
“Listen, we were teetering on the edge and obviously have been put to bed,” said Wilder. “Yet again, this season can be epitomised in terms of the game today.
“First half, possibly Eddie will say his team was lethargic or not up to it; I would say that we were really good. We created some incredible chances and goals change the manner of a game.
“And then second half really is how it’s been. Physically they upped the tempo, they turned the heat on us and the goals we concede are really poor from a leadership point of view yet again.
“We go 2-1 down, we go three, four, five really quickly, which has happened too many times.”
Isak’s form – 23 goals this season – has led to speculation rivals might try sign him this summer, and Magpies’ boss Eddie Howe can understand why. Asked if the 24-year-old is world class, Howe said: “I think he is, yes, I think he is. Would I swap him with anybody else? No, I wouldn’t.”
Newcastle United: Dubravka, Livramento, Schar (Krafth 46), Burn, Hall (Alex Murphy 82), Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson (Wilson 66), J Murphy (Barnes 66), Isak, Gordon (Ritchie 82). Unused substitutes: Dummett, Karius, White, Parkinson.
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Holgate (Robinson 67), Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Bogle, Hamer (Slimane 79), Arblaster, Brooks (Souza 70),Osborn, Archer (Osula 67), Brereton. Unused substitutes: Grbic, Norwood, Larouci, Curtis, Marsh.
Referee: T Harrington (Cleveland).