Sheffield United's latest Premier League journey has come to a swift end as their relegation was confirmed with a 5-1 crushing at the hands of Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Knowing that defeat would officially confirm their demotion to tier two, the Blades came out fighting in the North East and deservedly took the lead through Anel Ahmedhodzic's early header.
However, the defender's shock opener would not be a sign of things to come for Sheffield United, as a ruthless Newcastle comeback saw Alexander Isak notch a brace alongside Bruno Guimaraes's header, Callum Wilson's strike and a Ben Osborn own goal.
The 20th-placed Blades are still capable of rising off the foot of the table with three games remaining, but preparations are now beginning for life back in the second tier, while seventh-placed Newcastle have cut the gap to Manchester United down to just one point thanks to the Red Devils' stalemate with Burnley.
The already-relegated Sheffield outfit can at least try to bring Nottingham Forest down with them in next Saturday's showdown, while Newcastle head to the 19th-placed Clarets on May 4.
Sheffield United stun St James' Park early doors
Eddie Howe saw fit to reintroduce two wide men into the Magpies' XI, bringing in Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall into his XI, but there were no alterations to Sheffield United's XI after their mammoth effort against Manchester United.
Knowing that at least a point was a must if they were to prolong their survival fight, the Blades exploded out of the blocks and shocked the St James' Park with just five minutes gone, where Ahmedhodzic made a brilliant run in behind the Magpies backline to head Gustavo Hamer's delivery through Martin Dubravka's legs.
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Yet to win a Premier League game this season when falling behind - going without a victory in their previous 15 such contests - Newcastle's mountain to climb could have become even steeper in the 16th minute, had Dan Burn not made a crucial block from Cameron Archer's goal-bound strike.
Dubravka was again called into action to thwart Ben Brereton Diaz in the 24th minute - a contribution which proved pivotal, as just two moments later, Isak continued his St James' Park hot streak with a first-time strike into the far corner after being found by Jacob Murphy's stunning through ball.
Isak's 18th of the season did not precede a Magpies onslaught, though, and Chris Wilder's side should have retaken the lead in the 31st minute, when Mason Holgate's header smacked the bar and Andre Brooks's follow-up flew wide.
Blades collapse ends Premier League adventure
Failure to capitalise on such opportunities would effectively put the final nail in Sheffield United's Premier League coffin, as nine minutes into the second period, Guimaraes peeled away at the back post and met Anthony Gordon's free kick with a diving header into the far side of the net.
As the hour mark struck, Sheffield United's Premier League adventure effectively came to an end, as after Mason Holgate brought down Gordon just inside the area, Isak coolly dispatched a penalty past the flat-footed Wes Foderingham to increase the Magpies' lead.
Wilder's men would seemingly go down swinging if the first half was anything to go by, but they went down with a whimper in a second-half capitulation, as Osborn's comical backheel own-goal in the 65th minute well and truly consigned the visitors to Championship football.
Newcastle were not in any sort of merciful mood, as just seven minutes after Osborn's unfortunate moment, Wilson conjured up his first Premier League goal since October, taking the ball down and finishing emphatically after Harvey Barnes slipped past a sea of yellow shirts far too easily.
Salt was rubbed into the wounds in injury time, when the Blades were originally awarded a penalty for Murphy's perceived foul on Jayden Bogle, but the decision was overturned upon a VAR review.
As Wilder's men cut deflated figures at full time, Newcastle rejoiced in a brilliant comeback and record-breaking performance; with 13 goals across their two games versus the Blades this term, it is the most strikes they have registered against a single team in one Premier League season.
Ben Knapton
