NEWCASTLE smashed Sheffield United for EIGHT on a remarkable afternoon at Bramall Lane. Here's how the players rated:

Newcastle (4-3-3):

6 Pope: Very little to do. After a promising start, Sheffield United hardly threatened the Newcastle goal.

9 Trippier: Three brilliant assists. Sheffield United couldn’t cope with his set-piece delivery. Superb.

8 Schar: Unthreatened for the most part defensively. Played his part in Wilson’s goal with a brilliant pass for Trippier.

8 Botman: Superb in both boxes. Off the mark for Newcastle with first half header into bottom corner.

8 Burn: Testing first 10 minutes against Bogle and McAtee but found his feet. Made his presence felt for the goal.

7 Anderson: Made Newcastle tick throughout. Energetic performance full of classy touches and positive intent.

8 Bruno: Good in the first half, brilliant in the second. Teed up Almiron for his goal and scored Newcastle’s seventh. Celebrated by kissing the badge.

9 Longstaff: Got the ball rolling with clinical finish. All-action throughout. Must start for Newcastle.

8 Almiron: Best Newcastle display of the season. Full of ideas on the right. Scored.

6 Barnes: Back into the side after being left out in Milan, the winger’s afternoon lasted just 12 minutes when he was forced off injured. A blow for the summer recruit.

7 Wilson: Deserved his second half goal. Should have done better with a couple of first half chances. Movement troubled home side throughout.

Substitutes:

9 Gordon (for Barnes, 12): Outstanding display from the bench. Sheffield United couldn’t cope.

7 Tonali (for Almiron, 69): Swept the ball around against tired and demoralised hosts.

7 Isak (for Wilson, 69): Scored from the bench

6 Livramento (for Trippier, 69): Some nice touches on the right

Hall (for Bruno, 81) N/A

Subs not used: Dubravka, Lascelles, Targett, Murphy

SHEFFIELD UNITED: (3-5-2): Foderingham 4; Egan 4, Ahmedhodzic 4, Robinson 4; Bogle 5 (Traore 46), Souza 5, Hamer 5 (Slimane, 66), Norwood 5 (T.Davies, 63), Thomas 5; McAtee 6 (Basham, 74), Archer 5

Subs not used: A.Davies, Trusty, Larouci, Brooks, Seriki

Man of the Match: Anthony Gordon. Unplayable from the bench. His best display in a Newcastle shirt. Direct running terrified home side.