Why Sheffield Utd's relegation is NOT yet rubber stamped as Premier League offer Blades a lifeline

It's not quite all over for Sheffield United as far as relegation is concerned.

The Blades were battered 5-1 by Newcastle at St James' Park despite taking the lead. And it's a result that seemed to seal their Premier League fate, after amassing just 16 points and conceding a whopping 97 goals so far this campaign. That's a record over a 38-game season and Chris Wilder's side have been circling the trap door for a while.

But they'll only officially be condemned to the Championship after Everton and Nottingham Forest have their appeals against their respective points deductions heard. The Toffees were initially hit with a ten point penalty for breaching Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), reduced to six on appeal. They were then docked a further two points, which has been appealed. Forest have been docked four points for similar breaches and have also appealed their punishment.

Those are both expected to be heard shortly, but until then, it leaves Sheffield Utd in a state of semi-limbo. If the appeals are upheld, the Bramall Lane outfit will be relegated. However, should Everton and Forest fail and have further points deducted, then the Yorkshire club would live to fight another day, even if only delaying the inevitable.

The official Premier League X account posted on Saturday: "Following their defeat to Newcastle, Sheffield Utd are relegated pending Everton and Nott'm Forest's points-deduction appeals."