Articles 
First off, some congratulations are in order. A huge “Well done” to everyone who has helped steer us to promotion. Last season was horrendous, it was a collective failing, however, certain individuals, of whom more was expected, showed zero commitment, desire or application in order to dispel ‘off field’ disarray and ensure our survival. They have long since left the scene. The current management team and players have shown tremendous determination to get Newcastle United back in the top flight and they have succeeded. All summer we were told NUFC have never bounced back at the 1st attempt. I believe Leyton Orient, away, was our turning point.
Of course promotion was sealed at around 7:15 pm, when Nottingham Forest vs. Cardiff City ended 0-0, but by this time, Hughton had recalled Guthrie, Gutierrez, Routledge, Lovenkrands and Carroll to the starting line up with Ameobi, Best, Pancrate, Smith and Barton all standing down.
The first half wasn’t great from a Newcastle perspective and Sheffield United fired an early warning shot when James Harper drilled a fierce effort straight at Steve Harper. Newcastle responded with a flowing move down the left which saw the ball get cut back to Guthrie who used the outside of his right foot but stabbed wide. Then a sublime Nolan pass, found Routledge breaking into the box but his effort also flew wide. The visitors then began to play, Henderson headed a corner wide and Cresswell was allowed to turn in the box but his shot sailed over the bar. We were punished on 22 minutes when Cresswell rose to head in a left wing corner, when Harper was crowded out, however, what Enrique was doing was anybody's guess. How you are going to stop a ball going in, when you are standing 2 yards inside the net yourself is a mystery to me. We did respond well however, Guthrie bent a shot a fraction wide from 20 yards, Enrique saw a cross almost sail over Simonsen and then he did superbly to find Routledge, who just like Guthrie previously, used the outside of his foot, but screwed his shot wide. Simonsen saved twice from Guthrie, one from a free kick, and Carroll headed wide from a corner as half time approached. Lovenkrands ghosted into the left hand side of the box but his well struck effort flashed over. Right on half time Chris Morgan opted to display his strong-arm tactics on Andy Carroll, with referee Andy Hall his audience. “Very good that Chris, Penalty” said Hall. Lovenkrands sent Simonsen the wrong way. 1-1. At half time, all those who were too scared to tell Morgan that he was useless, told the referee that he had got it hopelessly wrong, including Gary Speed, who was sent to the stands.
We totally dominated the second half. Lovenkrands went close with another drive and the Dane was played in by a great Enrique through ball, but Lovenkrands’ radar was seriously malfunctioning and he shot wide. Henderson shot straight at Harper, but a stunning counter attack deserved a better ending than seeing Gutierrez’s mazy run and right foot shot coming back off the post. James Harper shot hilariously wide and then tried to blame someone else for it. We went ahead in the 73rd minute when Simpson hooked a ball into the box, Lovenkrands headed the ball upwards, but towards Nolan, who crashed a delicious scissors kick home from 12 yards. Simonsen dived, but Lord knows why. He made a fine stop from Guthrie moments later when the midfielder tried to clip a left foot finish into the net At the other end Yeates sent a free kick towards the Moon. An offside flag denied Ameobi a 3rd but by this time the party had begun.
With promotion sealed, other achievable targets are an unbeaten home record, 100 points and of course, the title. We sit 6 points ahead of W.B.A. with a goal difference of 10 in our favour. The team and fans seem up for the title, but for now we can all enjoy the stark contrast to last season’s sorry affair.
Newcastle Utd Team:
Harper,
Simpson,
Williamson,
Coloccini,
Enrique:
Routledge, Booked (Ryan Taylor 90 mins)
Nolan, (Capt)
Guthrie, (Barton 87 mins)
Gutierrez:
Carroll,
Lovenkrands: (Ameobi 83 mins)
Subs not used:
Krul
Butt,
Kadar,
Best.
Sheffield United Team:
Simonsen,
Nosworthy,
Seip (Bartley 89),
Morgan,
Taylor,
Williamson (Little 71),
Montgomery,
Harper,
Quinn,
Henderson,
Cresswell (Yeates 81).
Subs not used:
Bennett,
Geary,
Fortune,
Lowton.
Referee: Andy Hall (W. Yorkshire)
Man of the Match: Guthrie was outstanding, Nolan had a fine game. Gutierrez will be neither the first, nor the last person to make Nosworthy look stupid, but Enrique was a different class, again.
Attendance: 48,270 - apparently
League Position: 1st
