Wilson and Megson reaction to United and Wednesday’s Carling Cup defeats

“We were under real pressure beforehand, with them having a few good chances, but I thought the breakthrough was a cracking goal from our point of view,” Wilson said.

“We couldn’t keep hold of it long enough and it was quite unfortunate the way the own goal went in.

“But you have to take your hats off to Everton - there have been long periods of the game where they have stretched us greatly.

“I thought we stuck to our task and in the second half I thought we might just have a crumb to hold onto.

“We didn’t get that, but I’m not at all disappointed with the players and it is something we have to learn a lesson from.”

Sheffield Wednesday boss Gary Megson slammed his side’s “shocking” start to the game and insisted their second-half revival, which saw Clinton Morrison pull one back five minutes after the restart, provided scant consolation as they were beaten 3-1 at Blackburn.

Megson said: “I think we kicked off at about ten past eight. Our defending was shocking for the first goal and we were shell-shocked and didn’t show a great deal of common sense.

“We spoke at half-time about forgetting the actual score and making sure we showed a bit of pride and played something like we can, which I thought we did.

“The players from that point onwards did all right. But it’s not a case of redemption because that wouldn’t be acceptable. There were individual positives but not as a team.”