Sheffield Wednesday's attempt at a miracle began in earnest on Saturday as Paolo di
Canio's hopes of a dream return to Hillsborough turned into a nightmare.
Wednesday manager Danny Wilson had bravely predicted in his programme notes
that his side would not lose another game this season.
They were bold words and the under-pressure Owls boss could easily have shot
himself in the foot.
With Wednesday a goal down at the break, it looked like Wilson would be left
red-faced, but his players produced one of their bravest performances of the
season.
Many had already written off Wednesday's hopes of survival going into the
game, with First Division football next season seemingly a mere formality.
But Wilson's side proved they are not prepared to go down without a fight as
they stunned the Hammers with three goals in an astonishing 10-minute spell.
The remarkable about turn came during the half-time break when Wilson decided
to replace Gerald Sibon with Richard Cresswell - and the reward came just 11
minutes later.
For Cresswell, it was the end of a personal five-month goal drought, while for
Wednesday it was their first goal at home for almost six hours.
Gilles de Bilde bravely found livewire youngster Alan Quinn while prone on the
ground and his cross picked out Cresswell on the edge of the six-yard box.
The deadline day signing from York last season then turned and fired home in
one movement his first Premiership goal of the season, and his first since
scoring in a Worthington Cup tie in October.
With Wednesday having found new heart, they then pressed for the go-ahead goal
and it followed just eight minutes later when Andy Hinchcliffe struck a
contender for goal of the month.
The left-back had not found the net for 13 months, but in picking up a simple
Wim Jonk pass from his right, Hinchcliffe then let fly with a rasping 30-yarder
which left keeper Craig Forrest with no chance.
Within two minutes it was 3-1 as de Bilde's cross was won by Quinn in the air,
with the ball then falling to Swedish winger Niclas Alexandersson to stab in a
left-foot shot which Forrest could only help on its way into the net.
The Wednesday fans were now all dancing and all signing, while as for di Canio,
he could only shake his head in disgust before trudging off at the final whistle
with head bowed.
It was di Canio's first return to the ground since his infamous shove on
referee Paul Alcock in a Wednesday game with Arsenal at the end of September
1998.
The unforgiving Owls supporters, who had predicted a hostile reception, were
true to their word as di Canio was roundly booed when his name was announced
before kick off.
Then, as he stood on the centre spot waiting for the first whistle to sound, a
minute-long chorus of jeers echoed around Hillsborough.
His every touch was then greeted by more boos from the fans, while they also
broke into a vociferous rendition of ``stand up if you hate Paolo''.
It came as no surprise that a player should become so reviled by the same
supporters who once revered him.
Time is supposed to heal old wounds, but despite 18 months having passed since
di Canio's moment of petulance, the fans had neither forgotten nor forgiven.
Harry Redknapp's £1.7million gamble on di Canio has proved a steal but in the
face of the continual provocation from Wednesday supporters, it was di Canio's
temperament and not his talent which was in the spotlight today.
The Rome-born star was handed a £5,000 fine by the FA this week and severely
censured after making a rude gesture to Aston Villa fans in a recent game.
Given di Canio was booed and jeered every time he touched the ball, his
hair-trigger temper could have seen him crack, but he managed to keep his cool
in the heat of an ultimately losing battle.
All seemed to be going to plan early on as it was di Canio who set up the
opening goal in the 11th minute with a jinking run before teeing up John Moncur
for a left-wing cross.
Pavel Srnicek could only tip the ball into the path of skipper Steve Lomas
whose drive hit Frank Lampard, with the young England star then setting himself
up to drive home his 10th of the season.
Di Canio then showed touches of just what he is capable of, with the
occasional silky-skilled run, although one tackle from behind from skipper Peter
Atherton saw him rolling around in over-the-top agony.
It was the prelude to Wednesday's comeback, with Wilson and the players having
the last laugh and the fans the final word with another chorus _ this time it
was ``Paolo, Paolo, what's the score?''
Teams
Sheff Wed:
Srnicek, Nolan, Atherton, Walker, Hinchcliffe,
Alexandersson, Jonk (Sonner 80), Haslam, Quinn, De Bilde,
Sibon (Cresswell 46).
Subs Not Used: Pressman, Briscoe, Staniforth.
Booked: Jonk.
Goals: Cresswell 55, Hinchcliffe 63, Alexandersson 66.
West Ham:
Forrest, Stimac, Ferdinand, Ruddock, Sinclair, Lomas,
Foe, Lampard, Moncur (Cole 68), Wanchope, Di Canio.
Subs Not Used: Ilic, Keller, Kitson, Margas.
Booked: Sinclair, Ruddock.
Goals: Lampard 10.
Att: 21,147
Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).
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