Sheffield Wednesday started 2026 with a 3-0 defeat to Preston North End at Deepdale on New Year’s Day.
Goals either side of half-time from Ali McCann, Milutin Osmajić and substitute Lewis Dobbin sealed a comfortable win for North End, condemning Wednesday to their first defeat this side of Christmas.
Wednesday, who remain winless since the end of September, started well in Lancashire, taking the game to Paul Heckingbottom’s side, but the game’s opening goal knocked the stuffing out of Henrik Pedersen’s men and they never recovered.
With a depleted squad, the Owls must now find the strength to go again as soon as Sunday lunchtime, facing QPR at Loftus Road.
Here is how we rated the players at Deepdale:
5. Liam Palmer - 5
The seasoned Owl started at right wing-back before moving over to left-sided centre-back not long before half-time. He showed for the ball on both sides of the pitch and flashed a shot over the bar prior to his positional switch when space opened up. | UGC
6. Jarvis Thornton - 5
Started at the base of the engine room for the third game running and tried to disrupt things. A third start in seven days came to an end after 66 minutes. | UGC
7. Barry Bannan - 6
Played closer to Thornton than he did against Hull City and Blackburn respectively, helping him to try and keep things as calm as possible, but he still showed for the ball in traditional Bannan fashion. Some passes, however, failed to find their intended target. | UGC
8. Harry Amass - 6
Playing what could be his penultimate game in Wednesday colours, Amass often found himself in space on the left in the first 45. He was in acres at one point, but he wasn't spotted by Palmer. Was a bright spark in a fairly dull second half. The prospect of losing him would be a massive blow. | UGC