By Sean Walsh
Sheffield United have been relegated from the Premier League after losing 5-1 at Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Blades have taken only 16 points from 35 games thus far and their relegation has been confirmed after falling 10 points from safety with only three fixtures left to play, with defeat for Chris Wilder's men at St James' Park proving to be the nail in the coffin.
Sheffield United were promoted after finishing second in the 2022/23 EFL Championship, but were quickly made favourites for relegation upon returning to the top flight.
Starting the season under the management of Paul Heckingbottom, the Blades lost nine of their first ten Premier League games, including a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in which they led 1-0 until the 98th minute and an 8-0 mauling at home by Newcastle.
A win would finally come at the 11th time of asking, with Sheffield United beating Wolves 2-1 on November 4 thanks to a 100th-minute penalty from Oliver Norwood.
Heckingbottom was sacked on December 5 after a 5-0 loss at fellow strugglers Burnley, with former boss Wilder returning to Bramall Lane. Sheffield United beat Brentford in Wilder's second game back in charge but have only won once since then and have been unable to turn their season around at any point.
Sheffield United could break an unwanted record in their final three matches. Their current tally of 97 goals conceded is the most conceded by any team in a 38-game Premier League season and they are within touching distance of the overall record set by Swindon Town (100).
The Blades wrap up the season with games against relegation-battling Nottingham Forest and Everton before closing out the campaign at home to Tottenham.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Sheffield United relegated from Premier League.
