Toffees triumph with second half display

Wednesday's brief run in the League Cup came to an abrupt end as Everton showed the gulf in quality between the two sides with a 3-0 win at Hillsborough. The Owls had managed to keep the scoreline level at half time but The Toffees proved too good in the second half running in three goals, two coming from Scottish international forward James McFadden.

Brian Laws made five changes to the side that started in the 1-0 victory over Hull at the weekend, Wednesday's first win of the season, with Gilbert, Hinds, Small, Tudgay and Jermaine Johnson drafted in. New loan signing Michael Johnson was given a rest, the Yorkshire derby against The Tigers was the Derby man's first full match in six months, while Spurr and Watson sat out with minor injuries. Deon Burton was dropped to the bench and Etienne Esajas was also given time to recover for Wednesday's important league match at Norwich on Saturday.

Francis Jeffers, playing against his former club, proved a handful in the first half and a clash with keeper Stefan Wessels that saw the Everton player requiring medial attention. It was all huff and puff stuff though for Wednesday who finished the first half level mainly because of a lack of drive from the visitors.

That changed in the second period with the introduction of the experienced Phil Neville into midfield. The former Manchester United man made all the difference and had a hand in Everton's opening goal on the hour mark. It was his pass that allowed Ayegbeni Yakubu to cross from the right allowing McFadden with the simplest of tap ins at the back post.

Neville was again the constructor with the game's decisive goal after 84 minutes. His cross found McFadden who headed past Lee Grant for 2-0. Game over, but David Moyes' side hadn't finished yet. The icing on the cake for them came a minute later when Yakubu ran onto a lovely through ball and side foot home for a third Everton goal.

There was certainly no surprise with the result but the scoreline perhaps flattered the Merseysiders somewhat. Whilst Brian Laws paid homage to a side he sees as a 'top six' team the visiting manager returned the favour in describing Wednesday as a 'Premier League club'. Flattering maybe, but Wednesday have some way to go to prove they are worthy of this division never mind being amongst England's elite again.

Laws verdict: "It was no disgrace to lose to a side who I believe will finish in the top six."