Cup run comes to an end at Stoke prove too strong

Last updated : 01 December 2015 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday’s fine run in the Capital One Cup came to an end at the quarter-final stage on Tuesday evening at the Britannia Stadium.

Premier League Stoke showed their strength by keeping the Owls at bay for large periods of the game and a goal in each half for the hosts was enough for them to comfortably progress to the semi-finals.

The home side were on top in the early exchanges but struggled to break Wednesday down until a moment of quality from former Barcelona attacker Afellay. Joselu played in a deep looping cross from the Owls left-side and the Dutchman connected with an excellent volley into the bottom corner of the goal, giving Wildsmith no chance.

More bad news followed almost immediately for the visitors when Lees overstretched for the ball and the injury forced the in-form centre-back off to be replaced by Pudil.

Carlos Carvalhal introduced Lewis McGugan for Jack Hunt at half-time and Wednesday gradually posed more of a threat with Hooper seeing a volleyed effort deflected wide and the Pudil curling a shot narrowly the wrong side of the post.

With 15 minutes to go Stoke sealed the win when a free-kick was taken short to Bardsley and the full-back drilled an accurate shot into the bottom corner from fully 25-yards.

The Owls will look to bounce back and keep their positive start to the Championship season on track when they face high-flying DerbyCounty at Hillsborough on Sunday.