6 in row for Willock as United sign off with a win at home
Newcastle United 1-0 Sheffield United
Joe Willock grabbed his 6th goal in 6 games as Newcastle United played their last game of the season at St James Park and their first and only game in front of home fans this season.
The win and the relatively decent recent run of results made for a fairly calm return of the Newcastle United fans to St James Park, on what would have been a very different atmosphere if things had continued like they did against Brighton only a few short weeks ago.
Instead, whilst there were some rumblings of disquiet amongst the 10,000 fans in the ground, the game largely went how Steve Bruce would have wanted it. It will certainly fit his rhetoric that there are only a 'vocal minority' who want him gone.
Only time will tell if this is the last time fans will see Bruce at St James Park with our logo on his jacket.
Steve Bruce would continue with this side that had run Champions Manchester City close just a few days before, with Joelinton continuing up front with Callum Wilson out for the season.
It was Sheffield who would start the brighter of the two sides however. McGoldrick guilty of missing a guilt edged chance inside 10 minutes that might have changed the mood music inside St James Park. The same player almost atoning for his error with a much more difficult chance from 25 yards that would hit Dubravka's crossbar.
Jonjo Shelvey would have one of his better games in a Newcastle side, and but for an excellent save form an on form Ramsdale he would have scored with a point blank header.
The Blades keeper would also deny Willock and Gayle, on for the injured Joelinton, against just before the break.
It would once again be left up to the young loanee from Arsenal to make the difference in this one. Having already rescued a point for the Magpies twice and scored the winner in two of the last 5 games, he would make it three winners with another find header.
Allan Saint-Maximin, in the best form of his Newcastle career, would play a wonderful ball into the channel for equally impressive Jacob Murphy who has revelled in his wingback role of late. His looping cross towards the back post would be inch perfect for Joe to do the rest.
Since his introduction into the starting lineup, Joe has been an absolute revelation. And with rumours that Arteta sees him as part of his future plans at Arsenal it would be heartbreaking to think this is the last we will see of the lad in black and white.
Willock would be withdrawn late on as the Magpies run of poor luck (or poor management) with injuries continued. He will now be a doubt for the final game of the season away to Fulham, as he looks to equal a feat that only the great Alan Shearer has managed in modern time, and that is to score in 7 games in a row for United.
A decent day at the office then for the Newcastle players. Willock certainly enjoyed the limelight with the crown doing everything they could to show the young Gunner that they want him to stay at the club long term.
Match FACTFILE
