Sheffield Wednesday became the first team in English Football League history to be relegated in February after being beaten 2-1 by Sheffield United in a bad-tempered Steel City derby.

The Blades led 2-0 when they had Kalvin Phillips sent off early in the second half, while the visitors had Gabriel Otegbayo dismissed with just a minute remaining as their fightback fell short.

Early goals from Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows had put the home side in full control.

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Wednesday were given hope when they pulled a goal back through Charlie McNeill four minutes after Phillips was red-carded, but an equaliser never looked like coming at Bramall Lane.

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Relegation comes during a season when Wednesday have been swimming against the tide following major off-the-field problems.

After wages went unpaid on various occasions during Dejphon Chansiri's ownership of the club, Wednesday were deducted 12 points in October after going into administration.

They were then hit with a further deduction of six points in December for "multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to payment obligations".

The Owls have managed only one win and eight draws this season and fate decided their arch rivals would deliver the final blow, ending Wednesday's Championship status after three seasons.

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Seny Dieng - the seventh 'keeper to play for Wednesday this season after being signed on an emergency seven-day loan from Middlesbrough - had to pick the ball out of the net in only the second minute.

The goal came when Joel Ndala's poor clearance went straight to Gustavo Hamer just outside the box and he slipped a great ball through to Bamford, who finished with ease.

As the home side looked to build on their fast start, skipper Japhet Tanganga fired over from a good position, Burrows shot wide and Callum O'Hare's effort beat Dieng but struck the 'keeper's near post.

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The second goal came in the 19th minute when a good move down the left ended with Sydie Peck picking out Burrows' run and he fired confidently past Dieng.

There was a flare-up in the first half which brought most of the players together after Hamer clashed with Jamal Lowe.

And United were reduced to 10 men four minutes are the interval when Phillips was shown a red card after leaving a foot in following a challenge on Svante Ingelsson.

Wednesday made the man advantage count in the 53rd minute, scoring with their first meaningful effort on goal when McNeill fired inside Michael Cooper's left-hand post from just inside the area.

They failed to carve out another serious goalscoring opportunity, however.

And when Otegbayo was ordered off in the 90th minute after picking up his second yellow card for hauling down Tyrese Campbell, it ended any hopes of a miraculous late turnaround that would have given the Owls a reprieve from relegation for at least a few more days.

The managers

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:

"It was never going to be straightforward and it ended up that way.

"We were comfortable until the sending off, and credit to them they got a goal. We had to see it out after that, even though we should have put it to bed.

"We wanted a fast start and a goal was even better. It was a great ball by Gussy [Hamer] and a fabulous finish by Pat [Bamford]. Good players have a pop in that position, but great players pick the right pass.

"Everyone in football realises Sheffield Wednesday were relegated at the start of the season. I feel for Henrik, I know how much losing one game hurts me.

"I feel for the players as well. They go out and give it a right go but the team is so under-cooked for the Championship, it's frightening."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen:

"It's so sad that it's happened here [at Bramall Lane]. But the bigger picture, it's so sad that a club like Sheffield Wednesday has been relegated in February.

"We have to keep on working. We have to set high standards again tomorrow and the next day. It doesn't matter if we are relegated, we want to give the fans as many good games as possible.

"We are all looking forward so everyone can get an idea of what will happen with club in the future."

Wednesday's nightmare season

June 3, 2025: The club and then-owner Dejphon Chansiri charged with breaching EFL regulations regarding payment obligations.

June 18: EFL imposes three-window fee restriction after Wednesday exceeded 30 days of late payments between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.

June 26: In a statement on the club's official website, Chansiri said he was willing to sell the club.

June 27: Another embargo is imposed on the club, relating to payments owed to HMRC.

June 30: Players and staff not paid on time.

July 17: Josh Windass and Michael Smith leave the club by mutual consent.

July 29: Danny Rohl leaves role as manager by mutual consent. Club is forced to close the 9,255-capacity North Stand at Hillsborough after Sheffield City Council issued a Prohibition Notice following a meeting with the local Safety Advisory Group.

July 30: Players and staff not paid on time.

July 31: Rohl's assistant Henrik Pedersen signs a three-year deal to become the club's new manager.

August 6: The EFL releases a statement explaining their stance on the situation. "We are clear that the current owner needs either to fund the club to meet its obligations or make good on his commitment to sell to a well-funded party, for fair market value - ending the current uncertainty and impasse."

August 8: Transfer embargoes lifted after outstanding payments settled, but fee restriction remains in place.

August 10: Owls lose 2-1 to Leicester in their Championship opener at the King Power Stadium.

August 13: Prohibition Notice on North Stand lifted after "necessary professional safety assurances".

September 4: Wednesday fans launch protest against Chansiri outside Thai embassy in London.

September 30: Players and staff not paid on time.

October 4: Wednesday lose 5-0 at home to Coventry. Kick-off delayed after group of fans run onto the Hillsborough pitch in protest against Chansiri.

October 14: Players and staff receive outstanding wages from September.

October 16: News emerges of imminent winding-up petition over £1m owed to HMRC.

October 22: Wednesday fans boycott home game against Middlesbrough. No official attendance figure released.

October 24: Wednesday file for administration and receive a 12-point deduction from the EFL. Supporters' Trust reflects on "bittersweet day", saying they are "overjoyed to have Chansiri out of our club for good".

October 27: Administrators and Sheff Wed hopeful club can be sold quickly to new owners with four or five serious bidders interested.

October 30: Players and staff receive wages a day early.

December 1: Club handed further six-point deduction for separate breaches of EFL regulations. Former owner Chansiri also banned from owning or directing any EFL club for three years.

January 28: Club legend Barry Bannan leaves for Millwall after over a decade and 477 appearances.

February 22: Wednesday suffer the ignominy of being relegated by their rivals Sheffield United. The club remains in takeover limbo.

Wednesday's remaining Championship fixtures

February 25: Norwich (A) - Live on Sky Sports
February 28: Southampton (H)

March 7: Derby (A)
March 10: Watford (H) - Live on Sky Sports
March 14: Ipswich (H)
March 21: Hull (A)

April 3: Stoke (A)
April 6: Leicester (H)
April 11: Coventry (A)
April 18: Charlton (H)
April 21: Middlesbrough (A)
April 25: Oxford (A)

May 2: West Brom (H)

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