Newcastle 1-0 Sheffield United: Joe Willock scores for the sixth successive game as Steve Bruce’s side give 10,000 Magpies fans the perfect return after a difficult season with victory over relegated Blades
- Newcastle inflicted more misery on Sheffield United with a 1-0 home victory
- The Magpies took the lead just before half time when Joe Willock headed home
- The on-loan Arsenal star found the back of the net for the sixth successive game
- Allan Saint-Maximin was forced off injured for the hosts during the second half
Joe Willock has arguably been Arsenal’s best player since the start of April, albeit in the colours of loan club Newcastle.
The consolation for the Gunners is that the midfielder’s six goals in as many games have made a reputed valuation of £20million seem conservative.
Ten thousand home fans implored their match-winner to stay as he hobbled around the perimeter of the pitch five minutes from time.
Newcastle inflicted more misery on Sheffield United as Joe Willock headed home the winner
Willock met Jacob Murphy’s cross with a bullet header to score for the sixth successive game
Willock runs away to celebrate with some of the 10,000 Magpies supporters in St James’ Park
But they might need a whip-round to help make permanent his move, and that is assuming Arsenal are willing to cash in.
Steve Bruce has let it be known he wants to keep the 21-year-old, whose performance here was bettered only by Allan Saint-Maximin.
Funnily enough, Saint-Maximin began his day by giving an interview in which he called on Newcastle to sign Willock, before suggesting he would not hang around were they to endure another season like this one.
At least he finished the day by letting his feet do the talking. The French forward put on a show and it was his pass to free Jacob Murphy that was the inspiration leading to Willock’s close-range header in first-half injury-time.
Those in pink were expecting Saint-Maximin to dribble as they crowded around him 20 yards from goal, only for his reverse ball to leave them with red faces. Murphy’s subsequent cross for the unmarked Willock was perfect.
Bruce said: ‘Some of the stuff he (Saint-Maximin) does off the cuff just isn’t coachable.
‘He’s still got a lot to do, but certainly his talent is there for everybody to see.’
The Blades should have led inside seven minutes when David McGoldrick steered wide.
But they soon looked like a relegated side and Willock’s breakthrough felt inevitable.
In fairness to Sheffield, they were the better team after the break and McGoldrick cracked the angle of post and bar on 75 minutes.
By then, Saint-Maximin had retired hurt, his absence laying bare how much Newcastle rely on him.
There was joyous scenes in the stands as 10,000 Newcastle fans returned to St James’ Park
Allan Saint-Maximin was met by John Egan and Jayden Bogle as he looked to have an impact
Joelinton caused Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to panic as he tried to clear the ball away
Magpies boss Steve Bruce was forced to move quickly to get out the way of Saint-Maximin
Bruce was subject to one derogatory chant and later some boos during a lap of appreciation, and he said: ‘As I’ve said from day one, I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, unfortunately, but that’s the way it is.’
But, on the whole, this felt like a positive occasion with fans back inside St James’ Park after 14 months away.
It was the first time they had seen Willock. They will be hoping it is not the last.
Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey required treatment after having a tooth knocked out
Sheffield United’s defence was finally breached just before the break as Willock rose highest
Willock’s header continued his remarkable recent run in front of goal for Bruce’s side
In a blow to the Magpies, Saint-Maximin was forced off with an injury during the second half