Owls turn on the magic at Molineux

The Owls put in arguably their performance of the season at Molineux on the weekend and in defeating Glenn Hoddle's promotion chasing Wolves side they also ended a run of 17 league games without a win against the Wanderers, that last win coming back in 1968.

Paul Sturrock shuffled his pack around to combat the home side's "difficult formation" - he changed from the 3-4-1-2 he has been using in recent weeks to a more conventional 4-4-1-1 with Maruc Tudgay playing just behind Deon Burton upfront. There were no changes to the side that beat Preston last weekend but there was a place on the bench for winger JP McGovern, whose brief return to action earlier in the season was hampered with further injury problems.

Despite keeping the same side Sturrock was forced into an early change when Peter Gilbert hobbled off and was replaced in a straight swap with John Hills. Moments later Hills conceded a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box but on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson was equal to Lee Naylor's low drive, snatching the ball at the second attempt.

Wednesday's first real chance of the game fell to Chris Brunt after a failed clearance by the home side fell straight into his path. The Northern Ireland international pulled back the trigger and fire in a trademark low left foot drive, but Wednesday's top scorer this season didn't find the target on this occasion.

At the other end Carson was keeping the Owls in the tie with a double save from two deflected Wolves' efforts. Firstly the Liverpool man was quickly to change direction and stab the ball away with his feet, and later getting the faintest of finger tips onto a shot that had deflected off a Wednesday defender.

Wednesday took the lead right on half-time when Deon Burton's teasing low cross from the left was skillfully punched home on Marcus Tudgay's weaker left foot. It was relief at last for Tudgay who has failed to score since bagging one on debut back in January.

Half-time: Wolves 0-1 Owls

Wolves made two changes at the break bringing on ex-Newcastle forward Carl Cort into the fray along with former Owls reject defender Maurice Ross. It took just five minutes for Cort to stamp his mark on the game when he headed Naylor's corner into an unguarded near post. The Owls had looked nervous in the opening exchanges of the second half and had paid the price.

With a little over twenty minutes remaining Wednesday shocked the home side again with a second goal. Mikkel Bischoff's long punt forward found Burton who cheekily dinked the ball past Wolves defender Gabor Gyepes before smashing a half volley into the net. Sturrock later described Burton's performance as "Premiership class" and this goal had that standard written all over it. It was Burton's third goal in as many games and if there was ever a time for a striker at the club to stand up and be counted then now is that time.

Owls shot stopper Carson pulled off save after save at the other end and in particular saving low to his right from a Paul Ince effort. The England Under-21 goalkeeper will be keeping his name in contention for a possible late World Cup call-up with current third choice keeper Chris Kirkland now out injured.

With only minutes remaining the result was sealed with a third Wednesday goal. That man Deon Burton was again involved this time his clever back heel found Tudgay who beat his man before curling a wicked right foot shot into the corner of the net.

Millwall completed an equally upsetting league victory at promotion chasing Watford meaning Wednesday's victory at Molineux was truly vital. The Owls still have a five point gap ahead of the Londoners on the brink of the relegation zone.

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"I've been a bit critical over the last few weeks about the players not playing for 90 minutes but today they've gone and done it. Wolves is a difficult place to come to but we've got the win. They have done what we discussed all week and planned for."

Glenn Hoddle (Wolves manager) post match comments:
"We haven't blown the play-off place, certainly. We are still in a very strong position. The way we defended for those three goals was poor. You cannot win matches anywhere defending like that. We didn't see this coming and we have for to start getting maximum points at home."