Steel City: The Return of Proper Derbies

Wednesday Relegated Already, But Treat Us To A Proper Derby

Sheffield Wednesday have suffered the earliest relegation in the history of the Football League, and to rub salt in their wounds, it was bitter rivals Sheffield United that Hamer-ed the final nail into their coffin.

The occasion was a testament to the irrepressible passion of the away support, who have brought an incredible atmosphere to every game in what has been an agonising season, and today was no different.

Raucous fans, red cards and handbags - the Steel City derby reminded us of what a real rivalry looks like in football, as too often we see the passion dying out in what should be feisty affairs. This game has certainly set the precedent for the drama and atmosphere around derbies that we should be seeing more regularly.

Now that’s a derby game. 2 red cards, plenty of bookings, players kicking off & a proper atmosphere

— BillCocker (@BillCockaCha) February 22, 2026

The Result's Implications

As I've mentioned, and I won't do it too much more for the sake of Owls fans, Wednesday are now the earliest relegation in EFL history, which comes as little shock given how much of a crisis they've been in for years now.

You wouldn't have assumed there was such peril surrounding the day on behalf of their fans, though, who still brought a bouncing atmosphere even as the damning news was confirmed.

They're still yet to break out of the negative points following their multiple deductions and are almost guaranteed to annihilate the record of lowest points in a Championship season, currently held by Rotherham with their measly 23. That gives the Owls 13 games to make up the 30 points difference from their current tally of -7.

United, meanwhile, have advanced in the mid-table bunch and are edging closer to striking distance on the play-offs, now only six points behind Wrexham who occupy sixth.

There's still quite a queue ahead of them though, with seven other clubs lining up in a better position to snatch a play-off place, leaving the Blades in 14th following their win.

A Good Old Derby

Two early goals courtesy of Patrick Bamford and Harrison Burrows were enough to sink Wednesday, who themselves could only respond with a solitary goal from Charlie McNeill, but the main talking points came from elsewhere.

Kalvin Phillips maintained his record of being booked in every game he has played for Sheffield United, but this time it was a sending off after a reckless challenge early in the second half.

A very high follow through by Kalvin Phillips as he’s sent off in the Steel City derby…😳 pic.twitter.com/FHffkP6Acf

— george (@StokeyyG2) February 22, 2026

The Owls, meanwhile, saw seven yellows throughout the game, two of which came late on for Gabriel Otegbayo, who was also dismissed.

In a game that often promises confrontation between both sets of players, the neutrals waited eagerly for much of the game to wait for it all to kick off, but finally got what they wanted after the full-time whistle.

Sydie Peck ensured the travelling fans were aware of the result when he went over to celebrate in front of them, antics that weren't appreciated by that section of the crowd nor Svante Ingelsson, who tustled with the midfielder which prompted a few players to involve themselves.

By no means was it a brawl, but it gave us something to cheer about at least.

A day of celebration for Sheffield United was capped off when the players held a Greece flag on the pitch, in memory of George Baldock.

Sheffield United paid tribute to George Baldock after their Steel City derby win ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ScXWhCPQo6

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) February 22, 2026