Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Carlisle United - first win for Owls new boss

The Portuguese forward, who has flattered to deceive since arriving from Nacional in July 2015, scored one and made another to help Wednesday seal a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

It was also the Owls’ first Hillsborough win since October 31.

There was little cup fever in the air on a bitterly cold evening.

The two teams battled to 0-0 draw in the original tie played at Brunton Park 10 days ago and Luhukay fielded a much-changed starting line-up. Only Frederico Venancio, Morgan Fox and David Jones retained their places from Friday’s Steel City derby with Sheffield United.

Luhukay put his faith in youth, handing centre-backs Connor O’Grady and Frederik Nielsen their Hillsborough debuts. And the kids did not let him down, helping the club record a second successive clean sheet.

Jack Hunt returned after shrugging off a calf problem and there were also recalls for Jacob Butterfield, George Boyd, Marco Matias and Atdhe Nuhiu.

Luhukay, given a warm reception by the Owls faithful before kick-off ahead of his first home match in charge, kept faith with the three-man defence which served them so well at Bramall Lane.

But in freezing wintry conditions under the lights at S6, Carlisle carried the greater attacking threat in the early skirmishes.

The Cumbrians, backed by a strong 800 following, created the first chance of note. Defender Mark Ellis turned sharply in the box before firing tamely at Cameron Dawson, who was making his appearance since returning from a loan spell at Chesterfield.

Richie Bennett wasted a glorious opportunity to put Carlisle ahead in the 17th minute after Danny Grainger’s corner caused havoc in the Owls penalty area. However, the striker got his feet in a tangle from close range and Dawson rushed off his line to snuff out the danger.

Midway through the half, Bennett had a chance to make amends after good move involving Jamie Devitt and Reggie Lambe but Nielsen maintained his concentration levels and produced a vital last-ditch challenge.

Wednesday made their League Two opponents pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Matias opened the scoring in the 28th minute. He raced on to Nuhiu’s lovely through ball before rifling an unerring right foot shot high into the net out of Jack Bonham’s reach. It was the Owls’ first goal in over six hours of football.

Luhukay’s men visibly grew in confidence after finding the back of the net for the first time this calendar year and Matias was a constant thorn for Carlisle’s defence.

Matias looked keen to prove a point. Deployed down the middle, Matias was sharp and his direct style of play gave the hosts an extra dimension in the final third.

Injuries have hampered Matias throughout his time at Wednesday and he struggled to force his way into former boss Carlos Carvalhal’s plans. He has undoubted ability and maybe now he will start to fulfil his potential.

As the snow continued to fall, Matias was in the mood to inflict more pain on Carlisle. He played a neat one-two with Nuhiu only to be denied by the agility of Bonham.

Matias then turned provider, whipping in a peach of a cross from the right flank which released George Boyd and his fierce drive was brilliantly saved by Bonham.

Wednesday pressed for a second after half-time and Boyd’s ambitious 40-yard free-kick was comfortably gathered by Bonham.

They then had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Hunt was unceremoniously bundled over by Cumbrians skipper Danny Grainger following good approach play by Nuhiu and Boyd. Referee Michael Salisbury was unmoved and waved play on.

The Owls kept piling on the pressure and Matias agonisingly failed to turn in Morgan Fox’s dangerous centre towards the back post after a quick counter attack.

It did not matter as Nuhiu doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. It was no surprise Matias provided the assist. His clever pass sent Nuhiu through on goal and the giant striker side-stepped both Tom Parkes and Gary Liddle before coolly bending a low short into the far corner.

O’Grady glanced over a Butterfield cross and Boyd was thwarted again by Bonham as Wednesday pushed for a third.

At the other end, Devitt curled wide for Carlisle and substitute Shaun Miller’s powerful drive was turned away by Dawson. But the Owls held on to claim only a second win in 13 outings and set up a fourth round date with Reading on Friday, January 26.

The result also means Wednesday have not lost an FA Cup match at home to a lower league side since February 1992, winning 13 and drawing six since.

Owls: Dawson; Hunt, Venancio, Nielsen, O’Grady, Fox; Jones (Reach 79), Butterfield, Boyd; Matias, Nuhiu. Substitutes: Wildsmith, Palmer, Pudil, Wallace, Reach, Rhodes, Joao.

Carlisle: Bonham; Liddle, Ellis (S Miller 67), Parkes; Brown (O’Sullivan 64), Jones, Joyce, Devitt, Grainger; Lambe, Bennett (Hope 58). Substitutes: Bacon, Nabi.

Attendance: 12,003

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire)

Star man: Marco Matias