Sheffield Wednesday gave plenty to not only stay apace with Birmingham City’s expensively assembled squad, but they went beyond in portions of the game. A young side stripped of quality battled and harried and entered the final swathes of the match level - before a couple of defensive lapses from young players cost them so painfully.
Wednesday offered bits and pieces going forward but in front of a sparse Hillsborough crowd felt that sinking feeling again - and not least with the look of Barry Bannan’s exit from the field.
Here are our ratings.
1. Murphy Cooper - 7
Out smartly to come to Wednesday aid on occasion, distribution good. Exceptional double save kept Wednesday in it. Made a couple of other good stops and dealt with a hairy one overhead. | UGC
2. Yan Valery - 7
Showed for it high when he could and showed some quality in tight areas. One last gasp tackle was a goal-saver. One or two moments of iffy decision-making but like others, looked exhausted by the end. | UGC
3. Liam Palmer - 6
Switched over to the right in the Owls' enforced defensive hokey-cokey. Some really vital moments in keeping Wednesday in it. Battled through. | UGC
4. Gabriel Otegbayo - 8
One tackle in particular important, held his line well and won a couple of important aerials. Grew into the second half. Hasn't had it all his own way this season but this was one of his best outings in an Owls shirt. | UGC