Barry Bannan’s return to Sheffield Wednesday played a pivotal role in the club’s 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening. The 36-year-old midfielder, who rejoined the Owls after a brief spell with Millwall earlier this year, delivered the decisive assist for Jamal Lowe’s late second-half goal.

The match remained goalless until the 70th minute when Bannan, displaying his trademark vision, lofted a precise pass over Bolton’s defensive line. Lowe, introduced as a substitute, controlled the ball expertly before lobbing goalkeeper Jack Bonham to secure the win for Sheffield Wednesday.

The game took a significant turn in the 56th minute when Bolton’s Xavier Simons received a red card for retaliating against Harry Gray, who had pulled his shirt during a physical exchange. Bolton manager Steven Schumacher acknowledged the error, describing the dismissal as a “poor decision,” noting that Simons "lashed out" and would likely be disappointed with his actions. Schumacher insisted that prior to the red card, his side had been the dominant force and “should have been out of sight.”

Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen, who fielded seven of his thirteen new signings, expressed satisfaction with the result and the squad’s overall performance. Pedersen stated, “Everything is moving in the right direction,” signaling optimism for the team’s progression under his management.

The victory advances Sheffield Wednesday to the next stage of the Carabao Cup, while Bolton will reflect on the impact of the dismissal and missed opportunities, particularly given their dominance in the first half. The match highlighted key moments of individual skill and discipline that ultimately shaped the outcome.