What Paul Heckingbottom said about Sheffield United's defeat at Newcastle and playing in front of fans again

St. James’ Park welcomed back 10,000 fans for the game against United, who saw the home side prevail thanks to Joe Willock’s header in first half stoppage time.

United will have just over 5,000 fans at Bramall Lane on Sunday for the visit of Burnley and Heckingbottom said: “It was totally different.

“We pulled up at the hotel and there were people at the bar; people were walking about. It just felt totally different.

“I can’t believe it’s been 15 months, over a season without fans. It’s crazy, it’s had its effect on a lot of people and I hope we never have to do it again.”

United began brightly at St. James’ Park and could have gone ahead early on when a well-worked move ended with David McGoldrick firing wide.

But Aaron Ramsdale made a string of fine saves once more, before being beaten by Willock’s header with one of the last actions of the first half.

“I thought we started really well, stopped them playing forwards and created good chances, which we didn’t take,” Heckingbottom added.

“Then we got punished which has been the story of the season.

“We were in control of the game for the first half hour or so and when you fall behind it’s a tough game. We huffed and puffed in the second half, had a lot of the ball but we had to try and get back in the game.”