Sheffield United vs Newcastle LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture tonight
Follow all the action as Chris Wilder’s side attempt to build on their first win of the season
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow all the action as Sheffield United welcome Newcastle to Bramall Lane in the Premier League this evening.
Chris Wilder’s beleaguered side finally secured their first victory this season against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup last weekend and the Blades will be desperate to kickstart what would by now be a miraculous escape from relegation. United have taken just two points from their opening 17 matches, an astonishingly low total, particularly after their high-flying exploits last season. To pick up points, their priority must be to drastically improve their output up front, with just eight goals scored in the league all season.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are attempting to escape a negative spiral of their own, having gone seven games without a victory in all competitions. Frustrations continue to grow over Steve Bruce’s cautious tactics, but the manager has promised his side will offer more in the way of attacking adventure tonight. Despite being chalked off as another loss, the Magpies were bitterly unlucky against Arsenal in the FA Cup last time out. Andy Carroll spurned two magnificent chances in normal time before the Gunners went on to snatch victory in extra-time. Follow all the action live below:
KICK-OFF
The players take a knee, and Newcastle, in their very bright away strip, get us underway!
The players walk out at Bramall Lane, ready for what feels like a big 90 minutes in both teams’ seasons. Kick-off is a couple of minutes away…
Sheffield United's win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday was their first since they beat Chelsea back in July. They haven't managed a clean sheet in 22 games and are still without a win in the Premier League.
Newcastle's 2-0 defeat (after extra-time) at Arsenal meant they have now gone seven games without victory, and they've managed to score just three times during that dismal run of form.
Early on Monday morning, a false rumour spread around Whitehall that elite sport was about to lose its Covid exemption, which naturally saw a lot of questions put to senior figures in football. The answer from all was the same. “Not yet.”
The questions facing football as they play on through coronavirus
With cases continuing to go up and tension between the game and the government rising it isn’t impossible that football could talk itself into another suspension
These two teams, unsurprisingly, are amongst the worst performers in the Premier League in terms of xG. Newcastle's total for the season so far is just 15.55 and Sheffield United's 16.88. Only Burnley (12.84) and West Brom (9.64) are lower. A six-goal thriller seems unlikely, then.
Steve Bruce speaks to Sky Sports: "We've had a gruelling schedule. Well publicised problems, it's been difficult with people physically-wise. We've had a little juggle. Also the fact it's the fifth game in two weeks, it’s important to rotate and have a certain freshness."
Steve Bruce must show bravery to take spiralling Newcastle in new direction
Magpies are winless in seven and promise of an attacking approach must become more than empty words
Chris Wilder speaks to Sky Sports: "We've got one or two back but the team sheet is not great reading - this is how it is. No excuses, I'm looking forward to watching my team tonight. We have to pick points up. I've not looked at the fixture list, it's about getting that elusive first win and it will give us a boost."
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