Fuming Chris Wilder slams Sheffield United players after another 'bang-average' display in Newcastle defeat

Goals from Allan Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie and a rare Joelinton finish sealed a comfortable victory for Steve Bruce's side at an empty stadium.

Newcastle, fully deserving of the three points, were helped by the Blades going down to ten men when John Egan saw red.

Reflecting on defeat, a disappointed Wilder said: "They were poor goals from our point of view. We looked a bit sorry for ourselves late on and that’s what disappoints me. We haven’t got a long time and I didn’t enjoy that, and the players understand that as well.

"Players need to give themselves a shake. We have to play at our max to get a result in this division.

“We can’t play at 75 per cent or in second gear, there might be periods when that happens but we have to be full at tilt and haven’t been.”

He added: “I’m sick and tired of people talking about Europe & the Champions League.

"It’s about working in the present and the present is that we’ve put in two bang-average performances this week.”

Although Wilder had no complaints about the second caution Egan received - hauling back Joelinton as the centre-forward powered towards the box - he felt the Republic of Ireland international was harshly treated after being book for a minor confrontation with the Brazilian during the opening period of the contest.

"John’s tried to take a quick free kick and the boy’s got hold of the ball, [ideally] the referee pushes both players away and gets on with it.

"Me and Steve were astonished that they got yellow cards. The second one was a definite yellow but [the first] is ridiculous, the game hasn’t changed that much and if so it’s in a worse place than it should be.

“Two boys showing a bit of angst against each other, and it wasn’t managed by referee. Does it play a part in the result? Of course, because we’re a man light and then we give away a poor goal."

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