Requiring a shock St James’ Park success over European outsiders Newcastle to stand any chance of a great escape, Sheffield United stunned the Magpies faithful through Anel Ahmedhodzic’s fifth-minute header last weekend and had Eddie Howe’s men on the ropes in the early exchanges.
Blades fans may have been left wondering where that fighting spirit had been all season, but Chris Wilder’s men wasted a couple of golden openings to extend their advantage, and they were made to pay the ultimate price after prodding the black and white bear.
Alexander Isak (two), Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and a Ben Osborn own goal completed an emphatic Newcastle turnaround and ensured that the Blades would be making a swift return to the second tier, marking their ninth relegation from the top flight of English football – the same number as bitter foes Sheffield Wednesday.
Wilder’s troops have not been consigned to a 20th-placed finish just yet, but they are eight points behind Burnley and nine worse off than Luton Town with just nine left to play for, so anything other than an inconsequential maximum this weekend and Sheffield United will remain rock bottom of the pile.
Avoiding an unwanted slice of Premier League history will be the ultimate goal for Sheffield United, though, as with 97 goals shipped this season, they are just four shy of breaking the all-time record in the competition, set by the Swindon Town side of 1993-94 who let in 100 in 42 matches.
Each of Sheffield United’s last three Premier League contests has seen Wilder’s men concede at least four times, and Saturday’s visitors Nottingham Forest must therefore do their utmost to expose the Blades’ frailties if they are to keep their heads above top-flight waters.
However, Santo’s side left their best shooting boots in the City Ground dressing room during last Sunday’s visit of Man City, where Chris Wood in particular was guilty of profligacy in front of goal, as the holders prevailed thanks to Josko Gvardiol’s header and an Erling Haaland finish.
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A third defeat in four Premier League matches for the Tricky Trees leaves them just one point better off than Luton Town in 17th spot, and while they also have a superior goal difference to fall back on, they will be plunged into the drop zone if the Hatters overcome Everton on Friday evening.
Amid Sheffield United’s well-documented defensive failings, Nottingham Forest have also shipped multiple goals in each of their last four contests and are still waiting for their first top-flight success on the road in 2024, having not triumphed on their Premier League travels since besting Newcastle on Boxing Day.
The Garibaldi also have just the one win to show from their last 19 Premier League games against promoted sides, although that came in the reverse fixture at the City Ground in August, where Wood was the 89th-minute hero in a 2-1 victory over their demoted opponents
