Football: Wednesday miss Hirst
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sheffield Wednesday. . .0
Manchester City. . . . .3
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY may play some stylish football, but it was no match yesterday for the robust Manchester City. Despite the elegance of Chris Bart-Williams, it was City's industrious player-manager, Peter Reid, who won the midfield, coaxing his side to a three-goal lead before giving way to Steve McMahon in the 76th minute.
Wednesday were without David Hirst and, although Paul Williams tried valiantly to compensate, their attack was like Wise without Morecambe - good build-up but no punchlines. The home side did, however, have an early flourish with a Williams header forcing a save from Tony Coton and a Wilson shot skimming the bar after a build-up involving half the side.
It seemed as if Wednesday might not be heading for their third defeat in a row, but their momentum was upset by a City goal courtesy of the back-pass rule.
It came after Mike Sheron broke down the left and wriggled between Nilsson and Pearson on the edge of the box. His angled drive rebounded from Woods to Pearson, who instinctively touched it back to his goalkeeper's hands. The free-kick from six yards was touched by Reid to White, who drove the ball home.
It was a harsh punishment for what could scarcely be called time-wasting, but it should not have caused Wednesday to lose their shape so completely. In the second half City capitalised on their disarray with a headed goal by Michel Vonk and then a seventh of the season by David White.
Francis afterwards held his team in the dressing room for 50 minutes. He emerged to say he would ponder over the weekend on recalling himself.
Sheffield Wednesday: C Woods; R Nilsson (J Harkes, 40 min), D Wilson (T Francis, 65 min), C Palmer, N Pearson, P Warhurst, G Watson, C Bart-Williams, C Waddle, P Williams, N Worthington. Sub not used: K Pressman (gk). Manager: T Francis.
Manchester City: T Coton; I Brightwell, T Phelan, P Reid (S McMahon, 76 min), K Curle, M Vonk, D White, G Flitcroft, M Sheron, F Simpson, R Holden. Subs not used: A Mike, M Margetson (gk). Manager: P Reid.
Referee: R Bigger (Norfolk).
Goals: White (1-0, 20 min); White (2-0, 56 min); Vonk (3-0, 75 min).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments