Sheffield Wednesday went close to causing a major upset in the F.A. Cup on Sunday when they took the lead at the Etihad Stadium, only to see Manchester City secure their place in the 4th round with a late comeback.
The Owls went to the Premier League champions with intent – playing 2 up front in the shape of Nuhiu and May and within 15 minutes that ploy had reaped rewards. May broke down the home sides' left and his cut back picked out Nuhiu whose forst time shot was steared in past the helpless Caballero in the City goal.
Wednesday conceded the majority of possession to their hosts but were largely untroubled for much of te first-half. Kieran Lee looked composed on the ball and Jose Semedo provided midfield bite that was upsetting the top flight big boys. The visitors were without player of the season so far Kieran Westwood in goal but it was testament to the way Stuart Gray had set his team up and the way the players defended that Chris Kirkand didn't have a single save to make in the first half.
Despite the positive signs Wednesday fans would have been forgiven for still feel fairly apprehensive at half-time as back in September the Owls had held City for 45 minutes in the League Cup only to conceded 7 without reply in the second half.
The home side improved after the break but Wednesday continued to look comfortable in holding them at bay, forcing City to bring out the big guns from the bench on the hour. Samir Nasri and David Silva – a player valued higher than it would cost to by SWFC outright – entered the fray and the Spaniard pulled the strings that opened the Owls up. With just over 20 minutes to go Silva played Milner into space inside the area and the England international beat Kirkland with a low drive that went through his legs.
Despite being pegged back Wednesday continued to defend in resolute fashion and a routine save from Toure was the only effort on target that Kirkland had to deal with as the match moved into injury time. Just as a creditable draw and a replay at Hillsborough was looking like being secured City got in behind the Owls and a low cross enabled Milner to tap home from close range to crown a happy birthday for him and break the hearts of the 5,500 Wednesday fans behind the opposite goal.
The result may have ultimately gone against the Owls but it wasn't in the manner of the crushing defeat that rocked Wednesday's progress earlier in the season and they should be able to take confidence from their display into their upcoming Championship fixtures.