Owls come close, but not close enough

The Owls crashed out of the Carling League Cup at the second hurdle after high flying West Ham United ran out 4-2 winners, despite a late Owls comeback that threatened the result. The Hammers found themselves 3-0 up ten minutes into the second half and there were genuine worries that Alan Pardew's side would continue and steam roll Sturrock's depleted side.

But Wednesday showed the kind of spirit that could be their saviour this season in scoring two quick goals to turn the game on it's head. Graham Coughlan grabbed his second in as many games when he headed in from a Chris Brunt corner, and 60 seconds later striker David Graham was celebrating his first goal for the club since a 350k move from Wigan Athletic. It has taken Graham 8 games to find the back of the net, in which more recently he has come under serious criticism from sections of the Hillsborough crowd.

Minutes later Graham had a golden opportunity to complete what would have been an amazing comeback - but his shot clipped the top of the bar and went over when really it should have ended up in the back of the net.

That miss came back to haunt the Owls when substitute David Bellion's pace was too much for the home side's defence, and the former Manchester United man grabbed West Ham's fourth and decisive strike.

Half-time: Owls 0-0 West Ham

Paul Sturrock's post match comments: