A debut and Big O - SIX talking points as battling Sheffield Wednesday crash out of the FA Cup

And that remains the case after this evening’s game – the 152nd meeting between the two sides – after the Toffees put in a professional performance to book their spot in the next round of the FA Cup.

To their credit, Wednesday huffed and puffed and put in a good showing at Goodison Park, but at the end of the day Neil Thompson just doesn't have the same kind of talent at his disposal as his counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti.

It was a cold night at the Grand Old Lady in Merseyside as Wednesday visited a ground that they’ve been to on so many occasions in the past, although not at all in the last 20 years. Thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Yerry Mina, their wait for a win there goes on. 3-0 it ended.

Andre Green

Signed, sealed, straight in. Thompson wasted no time in trying to see what Wednesday’s new recruit could do, throwing him into the XI at Goodison to give him his first competitive start in 209 days.

Green, who was snapped up as a free agent just over a week ago, was making his first appearance for the Owls and first appearance at all since coming on as a substitute for Charlton Athletic back in July.

He started brightly, on the front foot and trying to make things happen. He’s got a lot of pace about him and certainly isn’t afraid to run at people – it didn’t look like the performance of a player who hasn’t played a competitive game in more than half a year, that’s for sure.

But that being said, he was always going to run out of steam so it was no surprise to see him go off at half time. Facing a team of this quality with such limited playing time is no easy task. Promising first signs though.

Intent

There was plenty of it, at least in the first half. Wednesday were massively overpowered on paper going up against the likes of James Rodriguez, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, but they didn’t hide. They were put to the sword a little bit in the second 45 as Everton stepped it up a gear or two, but it certainly wasn’t a bad showing.

Under the last couple of managers they’ve been criticised for having a lack of attacking intent, and for not creating enough chances. Well tonight, regardless of what the result in the end, they go home with their heads held high knowing that they had a go. Ancelotti didn’t pull any punches when naming his XI, and it really showed.

Everton probably have single players worth more than the entire Wednesday combined, and have spent millions putting this side together, so a defeat here is nothing to be ashamed of, and ultimately surviving Championship relegation is the number one priority.

Big O is back

It’s been a while. Osaze Urhoghide had a really tough 2020 after bursting onto the scene at the end of 2019. He’s battled with injury, and has had to work his way back up through the U23s and spend time on the bench, but his return to action tonight (his first senior appearance since February) was a very encouraging one.

He formed part of a young defensive line that also included Ciaran Brennan and Ryan Galvin, and he acquitted himself excellently. There was a crunching – but fair – challenge on Richarlison, and it kind of set the tone for his evening.

Yes, Everton’s class showed in the end. But Urhoghide’s performance will have reassured the club of the fact that they do have a talented young defender in the 20-year-old, and you’d think that it won’t have done his hopes for a new Wednesday contract any harm at all.

Joe Wildsmith

It might seem a bit odd to be praising a goalkeeper after he’s just conceded three goals, but Wildsmith really did put in a good performance at Goodison. He couldn’t really have done anything about any of the goals he conceded, and he was on hand to pull off some big saves to keep the score down.

While it remains to be seen if he’ll keep his place for the midweek trip to Birmingham to face Coventry City, the young Owls academy graduate won’t have done himself any harm with some of his shot-stopping efforts in Merseyside.

Depleted

Though there were a lot more players available for this game than there were against Exeter, there were still a lot of key players missing and not at Thompson’s disposal. One especially disappointing absentee was young Liam Shaw who did so much to help Wednesday reach this round, while others such as Keiran Westwood. Chey Dunkley, Tom Lees, Joost van Aken, Moses Odubajo and Massimo Luongo were all missing.

It is unknown at this stage exactly why they’re out, but Thompson will be hoping that at least a handful will be back in contention to face Coventry on Wednesday.

Last but not least…

It would be remiss of me not to mention how greatly Wednesdayites were missed. Goodison is a brilliant old stadium, and it would have been an absolutely belting away trip for the ever-reliable Wednesday faithful.

The fans are missed every game, that’s obvious, but the fact that the Owls had to run out into one of the country’s most historic stadiums without the roar of their supporters is an absolute tragedy.

And as many of you well know, some away days aren’t even about the result. Win or lose, Everton away would’ve been a top trip. Such a pity that so few were there to see it.

Anyway, time to focus back on the league…

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