Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday - Carabao Cup First Round
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A new era was upon us at the Stadium of Light after the takeover by Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven was completed in the summer of 2018. With the new ownership in place, they had a serious task on their hands, which included finding a new manager, multiple new players, along with getting rid of the multiple mercenaries that were sucking the club dry financially.
Donald and Methven were linked with many candidates to take over the job, but eventually turned to Scottish manager Jack Ross as the man to take over. Young, fresh, and fashionable, Ross looked the part for this new Sunderland regime that was trying to reset and rebuild after years of hardship and pain.
With the new manager in place, the club brought in many young players and along with some youth products who were beginning their career at a level where they would be afforded many opportunities to develop and improve. Some of these names included Josh Maja, George Honeyman, along with veteran EFL pros such as Chris Maguire. A certain Luke O’Nien was also amongst these names.
The club started the season brightly with a last-minute home win against Charlton Athletic, which was followed by a credible away draw to Luton Town, who would become familiar foes over the next few years.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Jack Ross the head coach / manager of Sunderland during the Sky Bet League One match between Sunderland and Shrewsbury Town at Stadium of Light on December 29, 2018 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Jack Ross the head coach / manager of Sunderland during the Sky Bet League One match between Sunderland and Shrewsbury Town at Stadium of Light on December 29, 2018 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
On this day in 2018, the club commenced their League Cup campaign at home to Sheffield Wednesday, who were playing a division above and who certainly had a higher quality of player at their disposal in comparison to our newly assembled squad.
Managed by Jos Luhukay, Wednesday made seven changes whilst Sunderland handed a debut to Reece James and first start to Elliot Embleton as they made six changes. Despite the raft of changes on both sides, it was a keenly fought contest with much goal action at both ends.
To the credit of Ross’ charges, Sunderland were the better team from the start, where they created multiple chances early doors. Luke O’Nien’s positive running up the right wing was causing the Wednesday defence countless issues, along with Elliot Embleton’s chance, where he should have done better after being put through by Denver Hume.
These missed chances came back to cost as Wednesday’s superior attacking play eventually told around the half-hour mark as they took the lead after a calamitous error from Alim Ozturk. The Turkish defender hesitated in dealing with a long ball over the top of the defence. Marco Matias quickly nicked possession from him, tackling the Turk and instinctively slotting past John McLaughlin in one motion for the softest of openers.
We attempted to fight back instantly, and it was that man O’Nien who was popping up all over the place, being his general menacing self. Unfortunately, he lacked conviction when going through on goal. His half-volley harmlessly rolled through to Joe Wildsmith in the Sheffield goal. Our new midfielder struggled to generate power under pressure.
As the game wore on, Ross made some changes, hoping to nick an equaliser. This began to leave gaps open around the pitch as we had to chase the game. Wednesday’s experience told as they eventually got a second through Adam Reach, who should have scored their second minutes before he did.
McLaughlin was quick off his line to deny Adam Reach when Baldwin failed to deal with a long ball. Reach finished the tie, glancing in from a Barry Bannan cross. He found the bottom corner, taking advantage of a fantastic delivery from the Scot.
This finished the contest with Sunderland bowing out early. Despite very little emotion surrounding the defeat, the game displayed elements of good play by the home side, but also showed how far they have to go to be taken as a serious outfit again.
On the day of our first game back in the Premier League, it certainly shows how far we have come.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Elliot Embleton of Sunderland gets in a tangle with Wednesday keeper Joe Wildsmith during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday at Stadium of Light on August 16, 2018 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Elliot Embleton of Sunderland gets in a tangle with Wednesday keeper Joe Wildsmith during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday at Stadium of Light on August 16, 2018 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)