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Shades of derby for Buoyant Owls - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Burnley 2 Sheff Wed 4LET us guard against Wednesday's brilliant victory at Burnley being regarded as just a collection of great goals.
ITV's Championship programme made the right choice for their feature match and did a sound job in picking out the highlights but in 13 minutes could not possibly tell the full story - which was that over 90 minutes this was one of the the Owls' best performances of the season.
Recent, unconvincing shows against Doncaster and Barnsley, and even Crystal Palace, were eclipsed by a consummate demonstration of skill, workrate and organisation at Turf Moor.
There have been bigger wins, of course, 4-1 against Burnley and Charlton, but those were both at home, the first one before the season had got going, the second against a bottom-of-the-table side.
Considering that last Saturday's effort was away, against a side unbeaten in six games, desperate for revenge and pushing for the play-offs - and with a record as cup giant-killers - it was a remarkable achievement.
A lot of Wednesday's play on Saturday also surpassed much of what they crafted against United, making it a contender for No 1 spot in the ratings for football standards, if it was possible to disregard the emotion of a historic Sheffield derby double.
To give too much weight to poor defending by Burnley would give too little credit to the quality of Wednesday's finishing.
To say that Burnley may have been jaded in their 46th match of the season ignores the fact that they'd had a week's rest and played only one game more than the Owls in February.
Brian Laws must take huge credit because the outcome fully vindicated his team selection and tactics.
He admitted: "It was a tough decision to leave out my captain (Richard Wood), who had been playing well (before he was injured). But Richard Hinds had played two magnificent games and I thought it was right to put him in.
"Frankie Simek too was excellent (against Palace); I changed it because I felt Lewis Buxton would deal better with their wide men (Wade Elliott and Robbie Blake) if they cut inside, as he's a two-footed player."
And Leon Clarke? The striker had convinced Laws he was worth a place with his bristling, goal-scoring show as a sub against Palace, even if it meant Francis Jeffers missing out.
Clarke admitted: "The manager said I was rested because I had two bad games, which was understandable. I didn't play well against Barnsley and had a bad game at Doncaster as well.
"I had a point to prove and hopefully, with two goals, I have."
Clarke and Marcus Tudgay both lifted the lid off Laws' tactics, which included interchanging between the two strikers and wingers Michael Gray and Jermaine Johnson.
Burnley found Wednesday's mobility hard to handle. Gray and Johnson were both back on form, and in the centre of midfield Darren Potter had his best game in weeks, alongside Sean McAllister, who carried on where he left off against Palace.
The Owls also worked tremendously hard all over the park, continually winning tackles and closing down the opposition, and preventing Burnley from finding cohesion.
At the back, Hinds had another outstanding game at centre-half, making challenges and interceptions and always being a calming influence.
Wednesday also showed mental resilience. When Burnley equalised in their little purple patch just after half-time, there was a suspicion that the Owls might falter - but they came back as strong as before.
The Clarets had their chances during 90 minutes, of course, and Lee Grant made two saves, one of them top-class, but Laws' men had many strikes at goal and opportunities, including the one where Clarke hit the bar, and the ones they took are worth reliving.
Tudgay's first was pure precision, a drive into the bottom corner after good work from Gray and deputy captain Tommy Spurr.
His second, and fourth this season against Burnley, was his 12th of the campaign and took him to his target of passing last season's tally, with calm control and another clinical finish after McAllister headed the ball forward.
Clarke's first was all about power and accuracy from 18 yards when he volleyed home after turning past his marker to make the most of a Grant clearance.
Then it was sheer delicacy from the big man when, after being sent clear by Johnson, he coolly chipped the ball low over Brian Jensen as the keeper came out at him.
It was all heady stuff and Wednesday could hardly be in better shape as they face big tests against Reading and Wolves this week.
BOSS'S VIEW:
We had to win that midfield area, because that's Burnley's strength; they supply their wide men very quickly and they have quality wide men who can cause you problems.
We worked hard and did well.
The first goal by Marcus Tudgay was a great one, and three minutes later he should have had a second. The save made by Lee Grant near the end of the first half kept us in the game; it was a vital one, for me.
We had a bit of a rick at a set-play and they got a goal from it.
They had a 10-minute spell.
But they were great goals from Tudgay and Leon Clarke. Those two were outstanding; Clarkey could have had four.
What do you think? Add your comment below.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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