Huddersfield win at Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday’s first competitive game of the 2021-22 season ended with a defeat on penalties in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Hillsborough on Sunday.
The Owls held Championship side Huddersfield Town to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes but Luongo and Palmer saw their spot kicks saved by Terriers keeper Nicholls as the visitors progressed to the next round.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell started in goal for Wednesday and the on-loan Burnley keeper made a confident start, making three good saves in a first-half that Huddersfield enjoyed the better of. Wednesday struggled to make an impression in the first 45 minutes and new winger Shodipo hobbled off before the half-hour mark with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, which will be a concern ahead of the start of the league campaign next weekend.
The home side improved a little in the second half with Paterson registering Wednesday’s first shot on target and substitute Brown also testing Nicholls.
Huddersfield turned to former Owls striker Jordan Rhodes from the bench in the final ten minutes and he missed a great chance to win the game, heading off target from close range with the goal at his mercy.
The visitors scored all four of their penalties to take the shoot-out 4-2, including one from Rhodes, who notably didn’t take a penalty when playing for Wednesday against Huddersfield in the 2017 Championship play-off semi-final shoot-out. Hutchinson and Adeniran converted for Wednesday before Luongo and Palmer saw their strikes saved.