Newcastle equaled their Premier League record with a dazzling performance against winless Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Any thoughts of a European hangover following their Champions League exploits on Tuesday were quickly dispelled as Eddie Howe’s team cruised to victory, with eight different players scoring.
On 21 minutes, Sean Longstaff raced in from Anthony Gordon’s cutback, with the Blades’ protestations for a handball and claims the ball went out of play in the build-up ignored.
Newcastle scored two goals in four minutes to put Paul Heckingbottom’s hosts three goals down before halftime.
Dan Burn stooping to nod in a corner at the back post before Sven Botman scored his first Newcastle goal with a well-directed header from a wide free-kick from Kieran Trippier.
Callum Wilson had a series of good chances before the break but scored 10 minutes into the second half, heading in from close range after another precise cross from Trippier.
Newcastle appeared to be able to slash through the Blades at ease, and it was the unstoppable Gordon who added the fifth.
The former Everton winger cut in from the left and curled the ball into the far corner past Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
With 17 minutes remaining, Miguel Almiron made it six, and Bruno Guimaraes made it seven against an increasingly dejected home team.
That gave substitute Alexander Isak enough time to capitalise on another defensive blunder, turn his man, and calmly finish to make it 8-0, the same score by which Newcastle defeated Sheffield Wednesday in 1999.
Sheffield United’s league defeat is also a record.
BBC