Sheffield Wednesday were comfortably beaten by promotion-chasing Reading after being reduced to ten men at the Madejski Stadium.
New manager Darren Moore suffered his second defeat in his second game in charge, and admitted “the odds are stacked against us” when it comes to staying in the Championship.
Wednesday set up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, aiming to sit back and attack Reading on the counter, but Julian Börner was shown a straight red card in the 29th minute after bringing down George Puscas in the box.
Sheffield United Lineup
Reading FC Lineup
Michael Olise confidently dispatched his penalty, putting the Royals 1-0 up with a one man advantage.
Moore was forced to sacrifice midfielder Barry Bannan for defender Matthew Penney in order to maintain a four-man defence.
Wednesday managed keep the game at 1-0 at half-time, surviving Reading attacks that were self-inflicted by mistakes from Sheffield defenders.
The second half was a truly one-sided affair. Reading came out and dominated possession, and launched attacks early on at a scrambling Wednesday. Osaze Urhoghide nearly scored a shocking own goal after slicing a clearance which scraped just wide past the post.
Lucas João then attempted a delicate backheel flick which brushed the crossbar and flew over. João didn’t miss at the second time of asking, after being played in by Andy Yiadom from the right side, the striker was in acres of space in the Wednesday box and easily slid the ball past Joe Wildsmith to make it 2-0 Reading.
The Royals didn’t let up after increasing their lead. More attacks swarmed at a Wednesday defence that looked increasingly shaky. When Wednesday did get possession of the ball, they lacked the quality to move it through the midfield and repeatedly gave away possession in their own defensive third.
The dagger came in the 88th minute, after Penney failed to clear a Sone Aluko cross. The ball fell to a grateful Yiadom who was allowed five touches inside the Wednesday box before firing a low shot into the bottom left-hand-corner.
Julian Börner ripped his shirt in frustration after being sent off. Credit: Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday remain on 28 points, one place above bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers. Rotherham United are four points above with two games in hand. Wednesday’s relegation fight seems to look fought.
Darren Moore has not had the start he would have wanted after leaving League One side Doncaster Rovers last week.
After the game, Moore said: “It’s a challenge, a wonderful challenge. You have great inner belief in the group of players and the structure of the club. It is a wonderful club that has probably lost its way a little bit. It’s still all to play for despite what has happened this season.”
Moore still believes his team can stay up: “One thing I have seen is a desire from the group is to try and do the right things to get results. They have not come for us but we have tried and we must maintain that. It is only us that is going to turn the corner and get this place moving.”
Sheffield Wednesday next face league-leaders Norwich City at Hillsborough on Sunday 14th March.
