Sheffield United relegated from Premier League following heavy loss at Newcastle

Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League after surrendering an early lead to suffer a 5-1 thrashing at Newcastle.

Anel Ahmedhodzic’s fifth-minute opener at St James’ Park gave the beleaguered Blades hope of earning a stay of execution.

But Alexander Isak’s second-half brace, plus finishes from Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson either side of a Ben Osborn own goal, inflicted a 25th defeat of a miserable season on the South Yorkshire club to boost the Magpies’ hopes of Europa League qualification.

Jurgen Klopp’s long Liverpool farewell is in danger of turning sour following a touchline row with Mohamed Salah during a 2-2 draw at West Ham, which hammered another dent into their fading title hopes.

Ange Postecoglou sees a bigger picture with potential new arrivals at Tottenham

Derriaghy in Steel Cup dreamland as Willowbank suffer Christmas Day agony

Salah, surprisingly left out of the starting line-up, had a heated exchange with manager Klopp before coming off the bench after Michail Antonio’s 77th-minute equaliser.

Following Jarrod Bowen’s first-half header, the Reds hit back to lead at London Stadium thanks to Andy Robertson and Alphonse Areola’s comical own goal but Antonio’s leveller prevented them moving level with leaders Arsenal.

Chelsea were denied an incredible comeback at Aston Villa as they had a stoppage-time winner ruled out by VAR in a 2-2 draw.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men looked to have snatched the win when Axel Disasi’s header in the fourth minute of time added on crashed in off the crossbar to overturn a 2-0 deficit, but Benoit Badiashile was ruled to have fouled Diego Carlos in the build-up.

Marc Cucurella’s own goal and a Morgan Rogers strike had put Villa ahead at the break, but Chelsea drew level through Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher before the late drama.

Villa remain fourth, seven points clear of Tottenham, who have three games in hand.

Manchester United’s disappointing season continued after Zeki Amdouni’s late penalty earned relegation-threatened Burnley a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s side looked to have scraped an unconvincing victory following Antony’s first Premier League goal of the season in the 79th minute.

But Amdouni converted from 12 yards with just three minutes to go after being clattered by goalkeeper Andre Onana to leave sixth-placed United only a point above Newcastle in the battle for Europe.

The result moved Burnley two points from safety, while fellow strugglers Luton remain a single point behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest following a 2-1 loss at Wolves.

Goals in either half from Hwang Hee-chan and Toti Gomes put the hosts in control before Carlton Morris’ 10th league strike of the campaign set up a tense finale.

Everton banished any lingering relegation fears by building on their Merseyside derby success over Liverpool with a 1-0 victory against Brentford at Goodison Park.

Idrissa Gueye’s powerful second-half finish earned the Toffees a third successive win – and a fourth in five games – to lift them above the Bees and 11 points clear of the drop zone.

At Craven Cottage, Jeffrey Schlupp scored a stunning late leveller as Crystal Palace grabbed a 1-1 draw against London rivals Fulham.

Substitute Schlupp rifled home three minutes from time to cancel out Rodrigo Muniz’s 52nd-minute opener and maintain Palace’s impressive form under Oliver Glasner following three successive wins.