Newcastle are back for the final home game of the season in front of fans for the first time since February 2020. Newcastle will be hoping for revenge against Sheffield United who beat them 1-0 back on the 12th of January this year in a game which many of the Toon Army decided that Bruce may not be the right man for the job. In the previous game Newcastle were abysmal, with five at the back, just like tonight. Steve Bruce has named an unchanged side, picking the same team who so valiantly lost against Manchester City in what was a hard fought battle between the two sides who have seen very different seasons. With no difference, the team sheet remains the same with Dubravka staying in goal. Murphy, Krafth, Fernandez, Dummett and Ritchie all apart of the back five. Willock, Almiron and Shelvey make up the midfield with Saint-Maximin and Joelinton partnering once again up top.

Newcastle get us underway and straight away Ritchie's corner was scuffed away only as far as Almiron who had a shot, collected comfortably by Ramsdale.
Five minutes later and Sheffield United attacked on the left with Stevens who picks out McGoldrick who was clear of the defense, but McGoldrick's shot was wide of the mark.
Jonjo Shelvey is well known for gritting his teeth and getting stuck into the game but one of those teeth appears to have been knocked out of his mouth via the elbow of Ben Osborn. Like the true warrior he is, Shelvey came back on after washing his mouth out with water.

Twenty four minutes gone and Willock who likes to press on the defense, dispossessed Norwood, Norwood then brought down Willock to give away a free kick. The free kick was taken and struck into the wall.
Three minutes later the Mags should have been one nil up as Ritchie's cross was met with a good header from Shelvey but Ramsdale was more than equal to it, stretching as he reacted well to the header and injuring himself in the process. The corner came in and was headed on target by Fernandez but Ramsdale catches the ball with ease.

There were problems for Joelinton in the 38th minute as the Brazilian pulls up clutching his knee. With a little bit of treatment Joelinton carried on.
Despite the apparent injury, Joelinton almost got his name on the scoresheet as Murphy played i a sublime ball into the box. Joelinton on side elected for the diving header but he put too much on it and it went over the bar.

Three minutes into added time Saint-Maximin played in Willock clear of the defense, took the shot but the keeper came out and spread himself well. The linesman then put his flag up for offside.
Seconds before the half time whistle, Saint-Maximin danced towards the edge of the box drove the ball through the defense to get the ball out wide to Murphy who played in a teasing ball for Willock who stepped up and did it yet again, St James Park finally erupts with real voices as Joe Willock bagged his sixth goal in six games, What a moment for the youngster. Mike Ashley, If you're still here in the summer, get out your checkbook and sign Joe Willock permanently. Half Time. 1-0.

Newcastle come back onto the pitch for the second half, Minus Joelinton who had succumb to his first half knee injury. On came Dwight Gayle in his place.
it seemed as though Allan Saint-Maximin was auditioning for the Soccer AM showboat reel on Saturday as he performed magic on the wing on the box ending in a "no look pass". And in the 59th minute got into the box after beating Egan for pace, Saint-Maximin struggled to get the pass away early as Ramsdale came out to block the cross with Gayle ready and waiting.

But Saint-Maximin was the second player to go down with and injury after slipping potentially pulling his calf muscle. Hopefully this isn't the last we see of ASM this season as he goes off for Sean Longstaff taking his place.
In the 73d minute, Miguel Almiron drove his way into the box, clear on goal Miggy looked for the pass rather that take on the shot.
Three minutes later Willock picked up the ball, getting the ball to the edge of the area Willock had a go with plenty of power but it's comfortable in the end for Ramsdale.
In the 77th minute, McGoldrick looked to have had an equalizer when his shot from twenty-five yards out curled away from Dubravka and hit the top corner of the crossbar. Close for Sheffield United.

Yet another injury for the Mags in the 80th minute as the goalkeeper Martin Dubravka holds up play clutching his hamstring, But with Murphy also struggling with his calf Bruce decided to keep the keeper on and bring off Willock for Big Andy Carroll, as Willock departs around the ground to standing ovation.
Time was ticking for the Blades but into added time and Ritchie swung the ball in for Carroll but Ramsdale was there again to collect.
Two minutes into added time and McGoldrick turns on the footwork, poked it to Norwood who blazed it over the bar. But Sheffield were pushing on and drew a foul from Shelvey. Norwood floated the ball into the box and Dubravka pushed the ball onto the bar, but the flag was up as Murphy and Gayle went down after a scrappy bit of play. The two got up and carried on. Full Time. Newcastle United 1-0 Sheffield United.

Great result for the final home game of the season in front of the fans, and once again it was the Willock show with a special performance from Allan Saint-Maximin who was excellent today. Pulling off his flicks, tricks and bursts of pace, ASM put on a show for the Mags. Unfortunately there were four injuries with three being substituted off. Despite the fact we weren't happy in January when Bruce played five at the back against Sheffield United, I was happy with this line up as they have found away to turn that formation into an attacking threat. Onto the final game of the season, away at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Sunday with nothing to play for. Happy Days.
By Sam West
Howay the Lads
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