Joe Willock scored in the sixth game in a row as Newcastle United welcomed 10,000 fans at St James’ Park by beating Sheffield United.
The 21-year-old on-loan Arsenal midfielder is heading home with a cross from Jacob Murphy in front of the Gallowgate End. To become the youngest player ever to play six Premier League games.
Willock‘s strike ensured a peaceful reunion with supporters of Magpies chief executive Steve Bruce. He has been criticized by half of the fans despite a few riots.
That would have been different if David McGoldrick had taken the first chance to put the visitors ahead. But the game was directed at the broad demolition of Enda Stevens inside the box.
After that release, Allan Saint-Maximin mocked and slammed the Blades back, playing a vital role in the goal. Before being replaced by what appeared to be a calf injury in the second half.
The injury was the only bad thing the club’s management could do, with Callum Wilson already without a top scorer. As Willock also doubted whether he would get a chance to extend his scoring.
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Bruce will point to injuries and undiagnosed as one reason for the Magpies season as he was stripped of his Wilson. And long-term Covid patients Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles with long spells.
With Joelinton also sidelined in the first half and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka obviously in pain.
He has been forced to end the game as Newcastle has made all the players allowed. Bruce will be delighted to see the end of the season on Sunday.
On the other hand, his side is in the lead after the fourth win in eight games, a race that included defeats to West Ham and Leicester. A draw with Liverpool and Tottenham, and a show that gave champions Manchester City a run for their money.
Suppose their departure from injury could end the campaign with a win over Fulham. The Bruce side, who started on Wednesday at 17 on the table, could surprise or better their 13th-placed game last quarter.
This summer, one of their first business orders will undoubtedly be to see if they can tempt Willock to return.
After revealing a revelation since he changed the January deadline, be it a long-term loan or a permanent one.
He has revealed that he has a head-to-head as his feet with Jayden Bogle’s rise to give him the winning streak. During the first half suspension.
A goal was met with respect by Newcastle fans who went to the home game for the first time in about 15 months.
Ramsdale again impresses the travel-sick Sheffield United.
McGoldrick and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale have been two shining lights for Sheffield United’s memorable season. And both have done their best to help the Blades come up with something.
While McGoldrick wasted seven good minutes for the visitors, his effort was just comprehensive. And he was unlucky to be surprised by a 25-yard shot in the second half across the bar.
On the other hand, Ramsdale has come up with a test of a few weeks’ opening with the club to produce a series of excellent shows.
And the £ 18.5m signature has been done with one hand saver to block Jonjo Shelvey’s header.
He described the retention as justified by denying Willock, even though the offside flag would have indicated that he was out. Before reading Saint-Maximin’s intentions to prevent Dwight Gayle from receiving fire after the break.
In the end, however, no player can block 16 defeats in 19 games for the Blades. Who will try to avoid two unwanted Premier League records when fans return to Bramall Lane for their last home game in Burnley.
This loss is equivalent to the 29th Premier League defeat of the season, hosted by Ipswich, Sunderland, and Derby. They also sit on 19 goals, missing Derby’s 20-year record in 2007-08.
‘We’d like to bring him here’ – they say
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce told BBC Sport: “The supporters were fantastic. If you think there were only 10,000 here, the difference is fantastic.
“We could have put him to bed early. Some of our games in the first half were very good.
“We all want to put Newcastle at the top of the table. And we have to be better than survive. We have found a team that is doing well.”
With the last hope of Joe Willock in Newcastle: “It’s a double-edged sword. We have to respect him for being an Arsenal player. If we can, we’d like to bring him here.
“Let’s see what we can do because he is exactly what we needed. Joe still has a lot to learn but give him the freedom and license to move on. He is a young player who enjoys his football.”
Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom: “We started well. We stopped Newcastle playing forward, and we got the ball back in good places. And then we broke into those areas and created chances, which we didn’t take.
“After that, we were punished with the last kick before the half. And it was a matter of the season. It wasn’t hard work, and the players were there.”
