Newcastle United have relegated Sheffield United following a 5-1 win at St James' Park as the Magpies kept the pressure on in the race for Europe.

Anel Ahmedhodzic's header gave the visitors a shock lead after just five minutes, but Alexander Isak equalised with a well-taken finish midway through the first half. Bruno Guimaraes put Newcastle in front after the break before a penalty from Isak extended the Magpies' lead after the hour mark. Ben Osborn then put through his net in the 65th minute and substitute Callum Wilson added the gloss late on.

Here are five things we learned from the game.

Newcastle run riot in the second half

Four goals. 18 minutes. Eddie Howe demanded a response at the break and the Newcastle boss certainly got one from his side following a poor first half.

Bruno Guimaraes, who was saluted by Wor Flags before kick-off, got the ball rolling with a diving header from Anthony Gordon's free-kick to take the roof off St James' in the 54th minute. It was a crucial goal - the first time Newcastle had taken the lead all afternoon - and Sheffield United soon crumbled. Alexander Isak picked out the bottom right corner from the spot after the hour mark; Ben Osborn put through his own net midway through the second half; and substitute Callum Wilson added a fifth late on.

Clinical Newcastle scored five goals from just seven shots on target on Saturday to close the gap to sixth-placed Manchester United to just a point. You suspect Sheffield United will be glad to see the back of the Magpies. No other side have conceded more goals (13) against an opponent in a single Premier League season.

Sheffield United give an almighty scare in first half

A home game against a side at the foot of the table with the worst defensive record in a 38-game Premier League season felt like the ideal fixture for Newcastle to get back on track following a poor defeat at Crystal Palace three days earlier. Fabian Schar vowed after that 2-0 loss that the players would 'leave their hearts on the pitch every game' and the Magpies had to on Saturday.

The gulf in quality was evident when the team sheets dropped but Sheffield United were desperate to, somehow, keep their top-flight campaign alive by avoiding the defeat that would mathematically relegate the visitors at St James'. Newcastle made the worst possible start when the sleepy Magpies were caught napping following a short corner routine and the ball eventually came to Gustavo Hamer, whose cross was nodded in by the unmarked Anel Ahmedhodzic after just five minutes.

Newcastle needed to wake up, but it is not an exaggeration to say that Sheffield United could have been 3-0 up in the opening quarter of an hour after Dan Burn made crucial last-ditch blocks to deny both Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer inside the box. Then Brereton Diaz stung Martin Dubravka's gloves midway through the first half. Remarkably, Newcastle had yet to have a shot on target. The hosts soon did.

There were 26 minutes on the clock when Jacob Murphy slid a ball down the right channel and Alexander Isak timed his run expertly to get there ahead of two Sheffield United defenders before finishing first-time past Wes Foderingham. There were understandably no celebrations on the field.

Isak immediately grabbed the ball and led his team-mates back to the centre circle for the restart after scoring his 18th league goal of the season. However, it was Sheffield United who finished the half strongly.

A simple through ball played Brereton Diaz in after the half-hour mark and the striker coolly rounded Dubravka - only for Burn to get back once more to make a goal-saving challenge. Mason Holgate struck the bar from the resulting corner before Andre Brooks fired wide on the rebound. Newcastle looked in need of a wake-up call and they certainly got one at the break.

Geordies have last laugh after away end's taunt

If the midweek defeat at Crystal Palace summed up Newcastle's issues on the road this season, this was a chance for the Magpies to show why they have been so formidable at home. Remarkably, only title-chasing Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have picked up more points on their own stomping ground this season and Newcastle's strong performances at St James' have kept Eddie Howe's team in the hunt for the Europa League despite picking up just four top-flight wins away.

It did not necessarily feel like a fortress following Anel Ahmedhodzic's shock opener, however. It was Sheffield United fans who were in full voice as they taunted: "How s--- must you be? We're winning away!"

By the time Newcastle scored five goals unanswered, though, Geordies were imploring Sheffield United fans to 'say hello to Sunderland' after the Blades were sent down to the Championship.

Bruno Guimaraes feels the love and shows it

Bruno Guimaraes was thousands of miles from Brazil, but he will have felt right at home on Saturday after the Gallowgate End saluted both the midfielder and countryman Joelinton before kick-off. Wor Flags unfurled a huge Brazilian flag display alongside a banner that read: "From the Alliance and the River to Newcastle upon Tyne, a home away from home. Joelinton and Bruno, our Brazilian Geordies."

It was a timely tribute. Not only after Joelinton signed a new long-term contract with the club but, also, when there is intense speculation about Bruno's future and the possibility one of his many suitors may trigger his £100m release clause before it expires in the final days of June. Wor Flags set out to show the pair 'how much they are loved' and Bruno ran towards the Gallowgate to applaud the display as supporters chanted his name. Come kick-off, they were singing about Bruno's magic hat.

Bruno looked genuinely touched and, after putting Newcastle in front in the second half, the 26-year-old raised a corner flag with the Newcastle crest aloft in front of the Gallowgate and kissed the badge.

Howe's bench flex at 4-1 up

The opening day of this rollercoaster campaign felt like a glimpse of Eddie Howe's masterplan. With his side already 3-1 up against Aston Villa, the Newcastle boss had the luxury of throwing on Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes, who helped themselves to a goal each.

Howe has rarely had such quality in reserve in recent months after injuries ravaged his side but, at 4-1 up on Saturday, the Newcastle boss was able to introduce both Wilson and Barnes for Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson. It did not take the pair long to make an impact. Barnes cleverly dinked the ball into Wilson's path in the 72nd minute and the number nine finished clinically to score just his first goal since December.