Steel City derby loss seals Wednesday’s relegation | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation to League One was confirmed in the worst possible fashion as they were beaten 2-1 by fierce rivals Sheffield United in the Steel City derby at Bramall Lane.

Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows struck in the first half to put the Blades in control, capitalising on Wednesday’s defensive frailties. Charlie McNeill pulled one back after the break, shortly after Kalvin Phillips had been sent off for the hosts, briefly giving the visitors hope.

However, any chance of a late rescue faded, and Gabriel Otegbayo’s red card in stoppage time summed up another chaotic afternoon.

The defeat seals a miserable campaign for the Owls, who become the first side in Football League history to suffer relegation in February.

Their fate has felt inevitable for months. A 12-point deduction for entering administration, followed by a further six-point penalty for financial breaches, left them stranded and facing an uphill battle from the outset.

Since beating Portsmouth in September - their only league victory of the campaign - Wednesday have spiralled, losing 10 straight Championship matches. With 13 games still to play, they sit on minus seven points and 41 adrift of safety. Their focus now is simply to avoid becoming the first club in Football League history to finish a season with a negative points total.

While survival hopes had long since faded, confirmation at the hands of their city rivals adds extra sting to an already painful season.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

Sheffield United leads 1-0 against Sheffield Wednesday. Patrick Bamford scores with a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.

2':

GOAL Sheffield United: Patrick Bamford (Sheffield United) scores!

Patrick Bamford scores goal number 8 in the competition (16 matches)

12':

Opportunity wasted. Japhet Tanganga of Sheffield United took a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it sailed over the crossbar. The assist came from Callum O'Hare.

15':

Missed opportunity! Harrison Burrows of Sheffield United took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Callum O'Hare.

Sheffield United leads Sheffield Wednesday 2-0. Harrison Burrows scores with a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.Sheffield United leads Sheffield Wednesday 2-0. Harrison Burrows scores with a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, finding the top left corner of the net. The assist comes from Sydie Peck, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.

19':

GOAL Sheffield United: Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) scores!

Harrison Burrows scores goal number 2 in the competition (31 matches)

49':

Red Card for Kalvin Phillips (Sheffield United)

Kalvin Phillips has now picked up 0 red in the competition (3 matches)

Sheffield United 2, Sheffield Wednesday 1. Charlie McNeill scores for Sheffield Wednesday with a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Tayo Adaramola, who delivered a perfect cross.

53':

GOAL Sheffield Wed.: Charlie McNeill (Sheffield Wed.) scores!

Charlie McNeill scores goal number 4 in the competition (29 matches)

90':

Red Card for Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wed.)

Gabriel Otegbayo has now picked up 0 red in the competition (23 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match