FOOTBALL IS BACK! Not quite as we know it but it is back!
We begin our restart to the season against Sheffield United at St. James' Park that was going to take place before the FA suspended the football calendar the day before this match was due to take place.
Despite being in the bottom half of the table, we currently sit a safe eight points clear of the relegation zone with nine games remaining. But anyway, back to what this article is really all about, analysing our head to head records with the Blades. I am delighted to return with these articles and to start the restart with a win on Sunday will surely cut (get it?) their hopes of European football next season.
Prior to the 1980s, Newcastle United came up against Sheffield United a regular basis but the fixtures between the Magpies and the Blades have become a rarity in recent years.
However, Michael Ramsay from HITC Sport remembers the last time the two teams played each other back in April 2010. He said, "I remember a great goal from Kevin Nolan that was the winner on the night promotion to the Premier League was secured."
In recent times, despite not coming up against each other, in early July 2019, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was linked with becoming the new Newcastle manager to succeed Rafa Benitez. Despite Wilder's impressive CV in achieving promotions from League Two, League One and the Championship over the course of four years, Steve Bruce went on to fill the vacant hot seat at St. James' Park later that month.
It was back in December earlier in the season, when the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane brought out VAR drama for Newcastle's second goal. Andy Carroll was judged offside by the linesman as he flicked on the ball for Jonjo Shelvey to latch on to. When the linesman incorrectly raised his flag for offside, the Sheffield United defence became statuesque which enabled Shelvey to easily score. Following a lengthy VAR delay (as always), the away end erupted with joy as the goal was given.
Facts and Figures
All Competitions
Sheffield United wins: 49 (40%)
Newcastle wins: 45 (37%)
Draws: 29 (23%)
Top flight
Sheffield United wins: 37 (40%)
Newcastle wins: 32 (35%)
Draws: 23 (25%)
Top flight at St. James’ Park
Newcastle wins: 25 (54%)
Draws: 12 (26%)
Sheffield United wins: 9 (20%)
Previous ten (all competitions)
Newcastle wins: 7 (17 goals)
Sheffield United wins: 2 (7 goals)
Draws: 1
League Record
Home: Played: 54, Won: 31 (57%), Drawn: 13, Lost: 10, Goals For: 108, Goals against: 53, Goal difference: +55, Pts: 106 (65%).
Away: Played: 55, Won: 7 (13%), Drawn: 14, Lost: 34, Goals For: 48, Goals against: 102, Goal difference: -54, Pts: 35 (21%).
First met in the league: 1898/99
Doubles achieved: 5
Doubles conceded: 5
Last home win: Newcastle United 2 (Peter Lovenkrands pen 45, Kevin Nolan 73) Sheffield United 1 (Richard Cresswell 22) - Championship (05/04/2010).
Last home draw: Newcastle United 1 (Malcolm MacDonald) Sheffield United 0 - (Old) Division One (27/12/1975).
Last home defeat: Newcastle United 0 Sheffield United 1 (Danny Webber 68) - Premier League (04/11/2006).
Sheffield United's Last 10 (W7, D2, L1)
05/01: AFC Fylde (h), FA Cup 3rd Round, Won 2-1.
10/01: West Ham United (h), Premier League, Won 1-0, 32 points - 5th place.
18/01: Arsenal (a), Premier League, Drew 1-1, 33 points - 7th place.
21/01: Man City (h), Premier League, Lost 0-1, 33 points - 7th place.
25/01: Millwall (a), FA Cup 4th Round, Won 2-0.
01/02: Crystal Palace (a), Premier League, Won 1-0, 36 points - 5th place.
09/02: Bournemouth (h), Premier League, Won 2-1, 39 points - 5th place.
22/02: Brighton and Hove Albion (h), Premier League, Drew 1-1, 40 points - 6th place.
03/03: Reading (a), FA Cup 5th Round, Won 2-1.
29/02: Norwich City (h), Premier League, Won 1-0, 43 points - 6th place.
Average placing last 20 years: 34th (14th in the Championship)
Biggest win: Newcastle United 6 - 0 Sheffield United (04/09/1937) - (Old) Division Two
Biggest defeat: Newcastle United 0 - 5 Sheffield United (10/01/1914) - FA Cup 1st Round