Sheffield United take on Newcastle United this week at Bramall Lane in their first Premier League meeting in 12 years.
The Blades enter the game seventh in the table and unbeaten in seven after drawing with Wolves on Sunday. Newcastle, on the other hand, are struggling for consistency although they did pick up a good 2-2 draw with Man City at the weekend.
It already looks like being a vitally important game in the season. The Blades will see it as one they can definitely win while Newcastle will see it as a game they can go and have a go at with nothing to lose.
The last time the teams met was in 2007. Under Neil Warnock, the Blades were battling against relegation when Glenn Roeder’s team came to Bramall Lane.
It proved to be a miserable day and a crucial one for Warnock and United, who saw the away side snatch a 2-1 win despite levelling with less than 20 minutes to go.
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What happened between Sheffield United and Newcastle United in 2007
United began the game in 18th place in the Premier League as they tried to stave off relegation. Newcastle, meanwhile, were doing quite well and entered the game in mid-table and comfortable.
The game featured Phil Jagielka in defence for the Blades. The experienced former England man might well end up playing a part in this weekend’s fixture some 12 years down the line. Newcastle had a line-up full of internationals. The likes of Damien Duff, Obafemi Martins, and Nolberto Solano all started that day.
Full line-ups
Sheffield United – Kenny, Bromby, Jagielka, Armstrong, Lucketti, Leigertwood, Quinn, Gillespie, Montgomery, Kazim-Richards, Stead
Newcastle United – Given, Carr, Moore, Taylor, Milner, Solano, Butt, Parker, Duff, Sibierski, Martins
Newcastle started the game well and went in fron with a thunderbolt from Obafemi Martins. The Nigerian striker showed his class to smash home and give the away side a deserved lead.
However, United hit back with Christian Nade in the 74th minute. The French striker scored a couple of crucial goals that season and this one looked to be another that might rescue a result for the Blades.
But just six minutes later, Neil Warnock was left fuming as Steven Taylor scored the winning goal for Newcastle. The Blades huffed and puffed but couldn’t get back into it. The loss proved crucial as United were, ultimately, relegated back to the Championship.
How do the Blades stack up against Newcastle in general?
The overall record is pretty even in all honesty. The Blades have 46 wins to Newcastle’s 49, with 29 draws between the pair.
Newcastle hold the upper hand in more recent times, however. The Blades have won just two of the last 11 fixtures between the clubs. The last win for United came during the aforementioned season, when Danny Webber stole a 1-0 win for Neil Warnock’s side.
Prior to that, the last Blades win came in 1994, again, in the Premier League. Five of the last six meetings have ended in a Newcastle United win, including an FA Cup semi-final where Alan Shearer netted the winner.