All Hope Lost for Sheffield Wednesday After Steel City Derby Defeat

Tyrese Campbell Brace Consigns Wednesday to Steel City Derby Loss

Sheffield Wednesday look to have lost all hope of salvaging their season after defeat to Sheffield United.

Things were already bleak for the Owls - who were deducted 12 points last month as they entered administration - and they came into this game on -4 points and just one win after 15 games.

Sheffield United are themselves in a spot of bother, as the Blades started this one on 10 points and in the relegation zone.

As such, this represented a great opportunity for Sheffield Wednesday to use the fierce atmosphere in front of their raucous fans to earn a famous derby victory and instil some belief for the road ahead.

However, any hopes of a first home victory of the campaign became nothing more than a mere dream after Tyrese Campbell slotted the ball past the goalkeeper and defenders on the line after 11 minutes.

Tyrese Campbell SILENCES Hillsborough to put Sheffield United into the lead 🔴 pic.twitter.com/SUkQk0lIkr

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 23, 2025

Danny Ings thought he had netted his first goals for the Blades to add further first-half punishment to the Owls, but it was ruled out for the tightest of offsides.

Campbell then doubled up for the afternoon to put himself ahead of Callum O'Hare as the Blades' top goalscorer, breaching Wednesday's backline to leave Max Lowe in his wake and once again beat Ethan Horvath.

It's Tyrese Campbell AGAIN! ⚽

Sheffield United close in on a third straight derby victory over Wednesday after doubling their lead. pic.twitter.com/AD9BT8kQSR

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 23, 2025

Patrick Bamford was substituted on in the 70th minute to mark his debut for Sheffield United, and came close in injury time to getting his first goal, which he perhaps should have taken.

Just before that, though, Tom Cannon's curled effort from the edge of the box took a slight deflection off Liam Palmer and into the bottom corner to make it three goals with three points.

Tom Cannon makes it THREE for Sheffield United at Hillsborough! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/uNBiiWPSJ1

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 23, 2025

Already Down?

The Owls had five shots of their own but failed to muster an attempt on target, signalling an underlying issue that has seen them score just 12 goals in 16 games.

As the loss also came against a relegation 'rival' - if you can call them that given the 17-point disparity – it means that Sheffield Wednesday's chances of survival are virtually impossible now.

If the players can't even put any fight in their performances for their big day at Hillsborough, why should the fans expect them to have any backbone for the rest of the 30 fixtures.

Worst Wednesday performance in a Sheffield derby that I have EVER seen.

Cowards. No excuses.

— Jim (@Jim1867) November 23, 2025

It's a roster that already has the quality of a third tier side - when 35-year-old Barry Bannan is your star player, it's safe to say your days were numbered before a ball was kicked.

Light is at the end of the tunnel for them at least, given Dejphon Chansiri's chaotic ownership has ended and bids for new investors are underway, but they will have to start the new era down in League One.