The wounds will take some time to heal.
Without any faffing about, here are our player ratings from a heartbreaking night at Hillsborough.
5. Sam Hutchinson - 7
Produced an important block early doors and laid on a couple of vital clearances. Had eyes on him after his unfortunate first leg slip-up and came through the test. Off with a nasty-looking head injury with 20 to go - hopefully that's not how his Owls career ends. Photo: Steve Ellis
6. Jack Hunt - 7
Offered an outlet and gave Wednesday much-needed impetus going forward. Off for Mendez-Laing as they searched for more goal threat. Photo: Steve Ellis
7. Massimo Luongo - 7
Broke the lines with regularity and made some important interceptions. The first half was his kind of battle, really. As the rest of his teammates, his authority waned a touch for most of the second period. Photo: Steve Ellis
8. Byers Owls.jpeg
Got clattered early on by Cirkin and received a harsh yellow card in the first half. Produced an acrobatic overhead kick that would've been something special and the other side of half-time offered a hugely important block from a well-worked Sunderland corner. Tireless. Photo: George Byers - 7