Sheffield Wednesday have denied a lack of adequate stewarding contributed to overcrowding at Saturday's FA Cup tie with Newcastle United at Hillsborough Stadium, while pledging to cooperate with a Football Association (FA) investigation.

Newcastle's FA Cup campaign was cut short by a surprise 2-1 defeat to the League One side, with Josh Windass' brace eliminating the Champions League-chasing Magpies.

However, the game was marred by reports of away fans experiencing overcrowding in the Leppings Lane End – the site of 1989's Hillsborough disaster, which led to the deaths of 97 fans after a crush at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

The FA and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority have since pledged to review the reports, and the club said they would cooperate with those investigations via a statement on Wednesday.

"Further to a request from the Football Association on the afternoon of Monday January 9, Sheffield Wednesday has now submitted its comprehensive observations to the governing body following last weekend's Emirates FA Cup third-round tie with Newcastle United," the statement began.

"Whilst it is inappropriate to outline in full the details of the submission at this time, the club feels it is important to emphasise that the stewarding numbers in place within the visitors' section of the stadium exceeded the requirements of the safety certificate. 

"The allocation of tickets issued to Newcastle supporters also complied absolutely with the safety certificate.

"In addition, fewer supporters entered the visitors' turnstiles when aligned to the number of tickets allocated and sold.

"There were no reports of injuries or medical assistance required on the West Stand logged with the club's first aid operations manager before, during or after the game.

"Whilst we continue to assist and engage with the FA and explore all options, the club will be making no further comment at this time."

The winners of Manchester City's FA Cup third-round clash with Chelsea will face Premier League leaders Arsenal or Oxford United.

Top-flight champions City host Chelsea on Sunday, with Arsenal's bid for a record-extending 15th FA Cup success beginning with a visit to the League One U's on Monday.

Holders Liverpool, who overcame Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final, will head to Brighton and Hove Albion if they can get past a replay with Wolves.

Manchester United host a Reading side managed by former midfielder Paul Ince, while Tottenham head to second-tier Preston North End.

Sheffield Wednesday's prize for stunning Newcastle United is a home draw against fellow League One side Fleetwood Town, while non-League high-flyers Wrexham welcome Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, West Ham head to third-tier Derby County, and struggling Southampton will take on Blackpool after the Seasiders dumped out Nottingham Forest.

Ties will be played on the weekend of 28 January.

FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:

Preston North End v Tottenham

Southampton v Blackpool

Wrexham v Sheffield United

Ipswich Town v Burnley

Manchester United v Reading

Luton Town or Wigan Athletic v Grimsby Town

Derby County v West Ham

Stoke City v Aston Villa or Stevenage

Blackburn Rovers v Forest Green Rovers or Birmingham City

Walsall v Leicester City

Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood Town

Manchester City or Chelsea v Oxford United or Arsenal

Bristol City or Swansea City v Chesterfield or West Brom

Brighton and Hove Albion v Liverpool or Wolves

Fulham v Sunderland

Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley v Cardiff City or Leeds United

Eddie Howe labelled Newcastle United's latest FA Cup failure "a huge disappointment" after third-tier Sheffield Wednesday shocked the Premier League high-flyers.

Head coach Howe has taken Newcastle into the Champions League places after huge investment at St James' Park, but the Magpies were knocked out of their stride at Hillsborough.

Josh Windass scored twice to put Wednesday two goals to the good, and although Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back, the Owls hung on for a 2-1 victory.

The result means that for a third season in a row, Newcastle have failed to get past the third round of the FA Cup, while Wednesday become the first team to beat them since Liverpool on August 31.

Newcastle lost at this stage of the cup to Arsenal in 2021, before being victims of a giant-killing when they slipped up at home to Cambridge United last season.

Howe made passing reference to having wanted to atone for the Cambridge defeat, and questioned the finishing of his players, who had 22 shots to Wednesday's nine but could not make them count.

Howe told NUFC TV: "It was a tough night for us, a really difficult game. We knew it was going to be. We created enough chances to win. I thought we had some really presentable moments. We didn't take them.

"Once they got their noses in front, it's very difficult to come back. We tried our best to do that and right to the end we were pushing, but it wasn't to be."

Howe gave League One outfit Wednesday "a lot of credit" for pulling off the upset, with the lack of precision finishing from Newcastle, who sit third in the Premier League, proving costly.

"Bruno scored, and we had numerous chances and players in positions where you'd expect them to do better, just with their quality," Howe said. "But it was a night where their goalkeeper made a number of great saves, and we missed that clinical edge that we normally have.

"It hurts because it's a cup competition, and we're out at the first round – a huge disappointment for us; especially after last year it's doubly painful.

"The intention of the lads and myself and the coaching team was to come here and win. We haven't experienced losing for a long time, and sometimes that can be a positive thing on reflection, but at the moment it's too raw to feel that way."

Newcastle still have a second chance of cup silverware, with an EFL Cup quarter-final home tie against Leicester City coming up on Tuesday.

"We're determined to try and put it right on Tuesday," Howe said.

Newcastle United suffered their first defeat since August as they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-1 defeat at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Eddie Howe's men have been impressive in the Premier League this season, rising up to third in the table.

But they could not get past League One side Wednesday, who took the lead thanks to Josh Windass' deft finish early in the second half.

Windass got an emphatic second just past the hour, and although Newcastle pulled one back through Bruno Guimaraes' close-range goal soon after, they could not turn things around.

It is the third season in a row that Newcastle have failed to get past the third round of the FA Cup, with Wednesday becoming only the second team to beat the Magpies this season and first since Liverpool on August 31.

Wednesday will play in the fourth round for the fifth time in six years.

Manchester City will face Chelsea in the pick of the FA Cup third-round ties, while Manchester United meet fellow Premier League side Everton.

Pep Guardiola's top-flight champions visit Graham Potter's side in the league on January 5, just a matter of days before hosting the Blues at Etihad Stadium in the prestigious cup competition.

Everton will be another side travelling to Manchester as Frank Lampard's side face Erik ten Hag's United, with current holders Liverpool drawn at home to Wolves in another all-Premier League tie.

Arsenal make the trip to League One's Oxford United, while the in-form Newcastle United visit another third-tier side in Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Tottenham will also face League One opposition when they host Portsmouth, with Brighton and Hove Albion going up to Middlesbrough and Bournemouth facing a home tie against Championship leaders Burnley.

Two more all-Premier League clashes see Brentford at home to London rivals West Ham and new Southampton manager Nathan Jones will have to get past an away game against top-flight rivals Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa will welcome Stevenage, who are second in League Two chasing promotion, with Fulham and Leeds United visiting Championship sides Hull City and Cardiff City respectively.

Dagenham and Redbridge will invite Leicester City to Victoria Road if the National League side can defeat Gillingham in a December 6 replay.

All ties are scheduled to be played between January 6 and January 9.

FA Cup third-round draw in full:

Preston v Huddersfield Town
Middlesbrough v Brighton and Hove Albion
Chesterfield v West Brom
Manchester City v Chelsea
Charlton or Stockport County v Walsall
Boreham Wood v Accrington Stanley
Tottenham v Portsmouth
Derby County v Barnsley
Cardiff City v Leeds United
Brentford v West Ham
Bournemouth v Burnley
Coventry City v Wrexham
Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers
Aston Villa v Stevenage
Luton Town v Wigan Athletic
Oxford United v Arsenal
Fleetwood Town v Queens Park Rangers
Liverpool v Wolves
Grimsby Town v Burton Albion
Blackpool v Nottingham Forest
Dagenham and Redbridge or Gillingham v Leicester City
Forest Green Rovers v Birmingham City
Bristol City v Swansea City
Hartlepool United v Stoke City
Hull City v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Millwall v Sheffield United
Shrewsbury Town v Sunderland
Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United
Manchester United v Everton
Reading v Watford
Ipswich Town v Rotherham United

Jamaican manager Darren Moore believes struggling Sheffield Wednesday are still in with a chance to beat the odds and survive relegation despite getting off to a nightmare start to his tenure in charge of the club.

Ten-man Sheffield Wednesday suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Reading on Saturday, which marked a second straight defeat for Moore.  The former Jamaica international began his tenure at the club on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to 10-man Rotherham.

The results left the team second from the bottom of the table and eight points adrift of safety.   Moore, who took over the position from caretaker boss Neil Thompson, became the club’s third manager of a turbulent 2021 campaign.  The Owls had been without a manager since December 28 following the sacking of Tony Pulis after 10 matches.

“All the odds are stacked against us, but we’re still in there with a fighting chance. We have to work. We’ve had a few days, a lot has gone on and it has been a big week. I’ve seen a desire in the group, they’ve not come for us, but we have that pride.  We have to continue that and move onto the next game,” Moore told the UK Star.

“It’s essential. We’ve had a tough week but it’s not been one that we haven’t been trying to put things right.  That result is there for us. We have to get that belief back and show what they’re about moving forward.”

Former Jamaica international, Darren Moore, has called for unity at new club Sheffield Wednesday as the team gears up for a difficult battle to stay in the English second division. 

Moore, who took over the position from caretaker boss Neil Thompson, became the club's third manager, of a turbulent 2021 campaign, last week.  The Owls had been without a manager since December 28 following the sacking of Tony Pulis after 10 matches.  The Jamaican opted to leave League One side Doncaster Rovers, who he had lifted to a playoff position.

Despite not having played in the Premier League since 2000, Sheffield Wednesday are one of England’s traditional clubs and has four top-flight titles.  Having lost four of the last five matches, however, the team is currently in the relegation zone and six points adrift of safety.

“It’s a huge challenge but what I will say to everyone connected to this wonderful football club is that what has gone on has gone on, and there’s nothing that we can do about that because it’s gone.  It's time to come together as one because we all have a love and desire for this football club,” Moore told the club’s official website in a recent interview.

“It wonderful when the work that you are doing is recognised by a club of this size and structure and all I want to do is continue to do what I have been doing and that is working hard, giving Sheffield Wednesday every ounce of myself in terms of getting the club going and moving forward,” he added.

Moore previously had a spell with West Bromwich Albion where he took over as caretaker manager from Allan Pardew in 2018.  This made him the first-ever Jamaican to manage in the Premier League.

 

Page 6 of 6
© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.