Having suffered two successive away defeats Sheffield Wednesday were under pressure to keep a gap between themselves and a potential relegation dogfight when Birmingham City visited Hillsborough on Saturday.
However there was very little sign of any pressure on the field as the Owls produced a comprehensive display to take all three points. Back in September City dealt the Owls a 4-1 hammering at St Andrews but on Saturday at S6 that scoreline was reversed.
In all fairness a 4-1 defeat was flattering for Birmingham as Wednesday could have easily racked up at least 6 in front of their home faithful as they had done against Leeds in January.
The impressive Caolan Lavery, starting from a unfamiliar right-midfield position opened the scoring just after the 15 minute mark, latching onto a fine ball from Kieran Lee before cutting inside a defender and lashing a low shot across goal into the bottom corner of the net in front of the Kop. He celebrated by whipping off his shirt to reveal a get well message to his mum who had recently undergone an operation – a celebration for which he was promptly given a yellow card.
Lavery was involved again as the Owls doubled their lead 5 minutes later. The youngster applied a flicked header to Maguire's corner which the visiting keeper failed to hold onto and Leon Best was on hand to tap the ball in from more or less on the goal line.
Wednesday were attacking with intent and defending solidly against a side that had scored 3 goals against promotion chasing Burnley in midweek. Martinez in the Owls goal barely had a save to make in the first half and should have been 3 down at the break.
On the stroke of half-time the Owls produced the move of the match when a number of crisp passes resulted in Buxton's low cross being deftly turned home by Nuhiu only for the referee to have spotted an infringement by the big striker, much to the bemusement of most people in the ground, including those of a midlands persuasion.
Despite feeling aggrieved at the decision Wednesday showed now signs of letting up after the restart and did make it 3-0 shortly before the hour-mark when a marauding run by Owls left-back Helan saw his cross diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Packwood.
The rout was completed with just over 20 minutes to go as Maguire set up Lavery on the right and he curled a fine strike into the opposite top corner of the net from just inside the penalty area.
Glen Loovens, who had produced an excellent display at the heart of the Owls back four, was replaced by Llera with 15 minutes to go and that allowed Birmingham to belatedly find some attacking intent as the Owls took their foot off the gas. The visitors were rewarded when substitute Macheda capitalised on some hesitant defending by Llera to get to the byline and produce a low cross for Novak to score from close range.
Best and Jermaine Johnson both spurned late opportunities to add to the Owls tally but the result was reward for an assured all round display.
Hutchinson and the returning Lee dictated the play from midfield, Maguire and Lavery offered intent from the wide positions and Nuhiu alongside Best produced some fine moments of skill and good teamwork.
The Owls face a stern test on Tuesday when promotion hopefuls QPR make the trip to Hillsborough.