Newcastle break Premier League record in thrashing of Sheffield United
Last season, Newcastle scored five goals in 20 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur – in a match voted the game of the season. Is this record breaking match an early contender for this season?
On Sunday night, houses around Tyneside sat back in awe as Newcastle United thrashed Sheffield United with a Premier League record eight goals from eight different goal scorers. This is also Newcastle United’s largest ever away victory, and their largest win since Bobby Robson first stepped up as manager – where Alan Shearer scored five in another 8-0 win. Ironically enough, that game was against Sheffield Wednesday. This was also Sheffield United’s worst loss since 1933.
Despite their points at this point in the season, the Blades have been playing fairly well throughout the start of the season. They haven’t won a game yet, but have had relatively respectable losses; they lost to Tottenham following two late goals in injury time in a match that they looked relatively comfortable in. However, this scoresheet could be the breaking of them.
This game could also be the making of Newcastle’s season. They have struggled; an ego-crushing loss to Liverpool, allowing a hat-trick from Evan Ferguson against Brighton and Hove Albion. But, they might have found their feet again, by edging a 1-0 win against Brentford prior to this record win.
Following a touching tribute to Maddy Cusack – the Sheffield United Women’s midfielder who tragically died earlier this week at the age of 27 – the game set off in what seemed to be Sheffield United’s favour. They had the first few shots, only to be blocked out by Newcastle’s newly strengthened defence. Newcastle seemed to start slow and were shaken by the taking off of Harvey Barnes, who came off with an unknown injury and was replaced by Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle were seemingly quiet apart from a blocked shot from Callum Wilson, until Sean Longstaff scored a slightly controversial goal. Anthony Gordon had barely kept the ball in play, and there was a potential accidental handball, but the goal stood and Newcastle came alive.
Next, it was Dan Burn’s time to shine. Miguel Almiron had a deflected shot, and the resulting corner from Kieran Trippier was headed directly in by Burn, leading to a 2-0 lead after just over 30 minutes.
Less than five minutes later, Sven Botman scored his first goal – from a perfect header – in 50 appearances for Newcastle United, and they went 3-0 up. Trippier collected his second assist and the away end at Bramall Lane celebrated like nothing else mattered.
A potential foul in the box on Anthony Gordon by Jaydon Bogle was waved away, which almost seemed to serve as a way to potentially even out Sean Longstaff’s controversial goal earlier in the first half.
If that was it, it would’ve been a complete success for Newcastle, who have been recently struggling for results. 3-0 up would be an event worthy of celebration. But, as it so often is with football, it was nowhere near that simple.
Callum Wilson had already forced Blades’ goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into making several saves in the first half, but it was early in the second half that he made good on his promising shots. Following a clean pass from Kieran Trippier – who kept astounding fans throughout the match and managed to capture a hat-trick of assists – a simple header went in and Newcastle came to 4-0.
Next, it was Anthony Gordon to score. Elliot Anderson played a simple pass to Gordon, who seemed to instantly seize the opportunity and play just behind the defenders, who couldn’t get anywhere near him. He also had a perfect shot just kept out by Foderingham.
Miguel Almiron also scored his first goal of the season, following a deceptively simple through ball from Bruno Guimaraes and a perfect finish, bringing Newcastle 6-0 up with 30 minutes of the game remaining.
Guimaraes was also on the scoresheet. Following Alexander Isak – who had came on to replace Wilson – being unable to progress in the penalty area and passing it on to Longstaff, the ball arrived at the Brazilian’s feet and he almost instantly scored – announcing his intention to stay in Newcastle and contract extension with a bang.
Alexander Isak was the one to put the final nail in the coffin of the match, following a badly timed header in the Sheffield United defence that he instantly picked up on, leaving Jack Robinson on the floor as he put Newcastle’s eighth past Foderingham.
Altogether, Sheffield United were fully outclassed in every move, despite looking promising at the start. They simply couldn’t compete with a Newcastle side that were hungry to score following a difficult beginning, and this match is going to live on in Newcastle and Sheffield United fans minds for a long while.
Last time Newcastle scored eight goals in a game was the first match that local hero Bobby Robson managed, a time of complete optimism and hope in the team that had been struggling after Ruud Gullit lost favour with fans. Epitomised by a Tyne-Wear derby – the most important match in the Newcastle calendar – loss that Alan Shearer had been benched for.
This is also a time for optimism in the Newcastle team. Stuart Pearce’s prediction of Newcastle winning the Premier League may not be true just yet, but there is a revival in progress that just might lead to something completely new.
Many fans are already hoping for Eddie Howe’s statue to be put outside of St. James’ Park. If this match means some more similarities to Robson can be drawn, it may be that the statues unveiling could be sooner than we expected.
Paul Heckingbottom will be praying for an unlikely win at West Ham United, and if he doesn’t see three points coming soon it could be that we see a change of management for the newly promoted side.
All eyes are on both teams at the moment, and it will be intriguing to see how they each react.
