Toffees too strong for Owls
Sheffield Wednesday exited the FA Cup at the 4th round stage on Sunday evening as they were beaten 3-0 by Everton at Goodison Park. Neil Thompson fielded a team mixed with youth and experience and in the first half they competed well but in the end a strong Everton side, who are currently in contention for a top 4 place in the Premier League, ran out worthy winners.
The Owls started with new signing Andre Green supporting Callum Paterson in attack and the former Aston Villa man looked lively on his debut. Wednesday were looking to contain the home side and play on the break and forced a diving save from Olsen in the Toffees goal when Adam Reach hit a trademark long drive on target.
The home side enjoyed the lions share of possession as was to be expected and their first chance of note came when Richarlison saw his looping header tipped onto the crossbar by Wildsmith. The same player saw a goal disallowed for offside before the home side hit the front on the 30-minute mark. Gomes reached the byline inside the penalty area and his low cross from the Owls right found Calvert-Lewin at the back post and he made no mistake in sliding the ball in from close range.
Having not played a competitive game this season, Green made way for Windass at half-time and in the second half the home side managed to make their pressure pay, sealing the result with two goals in two minutes around the hour.
Disappointingly for the Owls, for all the talent on display in the Everton side, they were undone by two routine corners. First Richarlison rose unchallenged to flick a header past Wildsmith then Mina towered over the Wednesday back line to power home another header.
Windass saw a good chance blocked following good play by Pelupessy and the Owls had a reasonable penalty shout waved away late on as they continued to plug away but in the end it proved to be a comfortable night for the home side.
Having not played for two weeks due to a COVID outbreak and with the team unable to call on the experience of the likes of Westwood, Dunkley, Lees and Rhodes, as well as the in-form Liam Shaw, who missed the game with a shoulder injury, Wednesday should not be too downhearted by the result, or their performance.
The Owls attention must now turn back to the bid for Championship survival as they face Coventry City in Birmingham on Wednesday evening.