Yorkshire | Wednesday thrashed on day of protest at Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 5 Coventry City

Coventry City moved to the top of the Championship after dismantling struggling Sheffield Wednesday in a match briefly halted by protests from home supporters.

Author | Jay Dean

Stadium | Hillsborough

The visitors, who had already thrashed Millwall 4-0 in midweek, needed less than three minutes to open the scoring when Bobby Thomas’s header from a corner was turned in on the line. Brandon Thomas-Asante was awarded the goal, although the final touch may have come off Wednesday defender Max Lowe.

Play was stopped in the 10th minute when a group of home fans entered the pitch in a peaceful protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri, following another delay in player wages. It was the fifth time this has happened in seven months.

Thomas-Asante doubled the lead with a composed finish across the goalkeeper before Haji Wright added a third shortly before half-time, though replays showed the American was offside.

Coventry’s dominance continued after the break, with substitutes Ellis Simms and Kaine Kesler-Hayden combining for the fourth, and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto capping the rout with a powerful strike.

Wednesday remain second from bottom and are still without a home victory this season, while unbeaten Coventry climb above Middlesbrough to go top of the table.

How quality Coventry added to Wednesday's woes

Despite their lowly position and the off-field turmoil surrounding Henrik Pedersen’s side, Sheffield Wednesday had remained competitive in their previous eight league games.

A late equaliser denied them victory at Birmingham on Tuesday, a result that would have lifted them out of the relegation zone. But against Frank Lampard’s in-form Coventry, they were simply outclassed.

There may be some debate about the opening goal, but there was none about Brandon Thomas-Asante’s second after play resumed following the fan protest. The former West Brom striker showed quick feet to glide across the box before driving the ball past Ethan Horvath, after Dominic Iorfa had lost possession near his own area.

READ MORE | Midlands | Birmingham come from behind to earn a point at Wrexham

Haji Wright’s ninth goal of the season should not have stood, with the forward clearly offside when Bobby Thomas headed down from a free-kick, but Coventry’s 3-0 half-time lead was fully deserved.

With the points secured, Lampard made all five substitutions with more than 15 minutes remaining. Ellis Simms struck for the second successive game after coming off the bench, before Tatsuhiro Sakamoto added his first of the season (Coventry’s 27th in seven league matches) after Wednesday failed to clear a set piece.

The hosts’ best chance came in the final moments when George Brown headed over Barry Bannan’s cross from close range.

The 5-0 scoreline, which might have been even greater but for Horvath’s saves from Ephron Mason-Clark and Sakamoto, equals Coventry’s biggest ever win over Sheffield Wednesday.