Soccer

Charlie McNeill scores twice on Sheff Wed debut to seal cup victory at Hull

All three goals came in the first 10 minutes.

Charlie McNeill (right) scored twice
Charlie McNeill (right) scored twice (Nigel French/PA)

Charlie McNeill scored twice on his debut to fire Sheffield Wednesday into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win at Hull.

McNeill, who last month joined the Owls from Manchester United, opened the scoring after just 25 seconds when Liam Millar gave the ball away on the left.

Pol Valentin and Michael Smith smartly linked up before McNeill struck into the top-left corner.

Hull equalised after nine minutes when Valentin lost his footing from a long ball. Marvin Mehlem reacted quickly and coolly finished.

But much-changed Wednesday regained the upper hand 60 seconds later when goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi lost possession on the edge of his penalty area. McNeill seized upon the error and could not miss.

The game plateaued followed a chaotic start but Hull thought they had equalised after 58 minutes through Sean McLoughlin.

However, referee Tom Nield ruled out McLoughlin’s scrambled effort for a foul on goalkeeper Pierce Charles.

Marvin Johnson later whistled one inches wide of the right post on a rare Wednesday counter-attack.

But Danny Rohl’s men still did enough, especially once Barry Bannan brought composure from the substitutes’ bench.