Owls lose top spot as clean sheet run comes to an end

Last updated : 29 August 2021 By C. Morris

Wednesday fall to first defeat of the season

Sheffield Wednesday’s impressive start to the 2021-22 season suffered a set back on Saturday as they lost for the first time in the league at Morecambe.

Darren Moore was forced into a defensive reshuffle with Hutchinson, Dunkley and Gibson all unavailable. Palmer started at centre-back with Johnson at left-back.

Morecambe for first to show their teeth with top scorer Stockton testing Peacock-Farrell with a low free-kick.

Wednesday hit back with Brown inches away from getting on the ending of a teasing cross from Bannan and Hunt clipping the top of the bar.

The pattern of the second half continued as the first ended with Wednesday in control. Byers hit the post from distance, Gregory volleyed over and then saw another effort well saved.

On 63 minutes the game turned when a rare foray into the Owls final third saw the home side win a corner and a flick on at the near post deflected off Adeniran at close range to give the Shrimpers the lead. It was the first goal that Wednesday have conceded this season.

Having failed to make the most of their dominance to that point, the Owls became increasingly frustrated in the closing stages as the hosts defended diligently to protect their lead. Wednesday enjoyed over 67% possession and had over double the amount of shots than their hosts but left beaten by a home side who only registered one shot on target and scored via a deflected off-target header.

The result leaves Wednesday in second place, two points behind Sunderland. The two were due to meet at Hillsborough next Saturday but international call ups mean that game has now been postponed.