Sheffield Wednesday: After the first goal we were the team on top, says stunned Birmingham City boss Gianfranco Zola

Jordan Rhodes headed Wednesday into the lead in the ninth minute for a home debut goal but after the home side's superb start, Birmingham rallied and hit the woodwork twice.

Sam Hutchinson headed a Craig Gardner cross onto his own post and then Emilio Nsue smashed a well-struck effort off the angle of cross and bar.

Wednesday had a couple of half chances but Gardner hit the bar for the visitors in the second half before the Owls put a seal on the three points when Sam Winnall scored his first for the club since signing from Barnsley last month, heading in Jack Hunt's superb cross.

Substitute Adam Reach put a flattering gloss on the scoreline with a coolly taken third.

"It is unbelievable to see a team play the way that we played lose the game like we did," said Zola.

"I don't pay too much notice to the two late goals. After their goal, I only saw one team to be honest.

"We played well, created good chances, played good football but not scored and that was the difference between the two teams. One team created three chances and they scored three, we created five or six and scored none.

"I can't criticise them, this is one of the best games they have played since I have been at the club.

"I believe in this team and I believe in myself and I continue working because I like working for this club and I am going to give everything I have got."