Newcastle United's misery has continued as Lewis McGugan's second-half goal consigned them to a 1-0 home defeat to a second-string Sheffield Wednesday side in the League Cup third-round match at St James' Park.
Steve McClaren made five changes to the team which lost 2-1 at home to Watford at the weekend to make it six games without a win to start the Premier League season, and the hosts started well by dominating possession.
Moussa Sissoko came close to an early breakthrough when he clipped the post with a low shot after being played in by Gabriel Obertan, but Wednesday threatened on the break when Tim Krul was forced to save Marco Matias's effort from distance.
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Jeremy Helan also tested Krul as the Owls began to find a foothold in the game, and as the visitors took advantage of some sloppy play in the midfield from the home side, Joao came within inches of giving his side the lead.
Liam Palmer's last-ditch challenge prevented Siem de Jong opening the scoring for Newcastle, but the Magpies' fans began to turn on their team as they toiled against Wednesday's discipline.
Despite having made 10 changes to the team which beat Fulham 3-2 at the weekend, the visitors were comfortable in seeing out the half at 0-0 as the home side left the pitch to boos at the half-time whistle, and things did not improve much during the second period.
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Substitute Ayoze Perez's blushes were saved by the offside flag when he hit the post when it looked easier to score from De Jong's pass, and Modou Sougou should have put Wednesday in front when he fired wide after his first shot had been blocked.
Perez hit the side-netting as the Magpies briefly threatened to net a winner, but McGugan was given time to smash home from 20 yards and increase the pressure on McClaren by knocking Newcastle out.
Tom Nightingale
