He scored the goal that gave Sheffield Wednesday their only away win vs Sheffield United this century

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The Steel City Derby returns to Sheffield this weekend, with both sides looking to build on positive midweek performances.

Sheffield Wednesday overcame Norwich City on Tuesday, despite Danny Rohl raising concerns about the Hillsborough atmosphere. On the same night, Sheffield United fought back from a goal down to beat Bristol City.

Rohl’s side have been inconsistent in the Championship thus far, with The Owls yet to win consecutive matches this season.

The first Steel City Derby since 2019 has the potential to change that for Wednesday, but their record at Bramall Lane doesn’t indicate much promise.

Wednesday have only won once away at their city rivals this century, with the previous win before that coming in 1967. Clearly, then, it will take a moment of brilliance to earn The Owls a victory at Bramall Lane, which is exactly what one man produced back in 2009.

Marcus Tudgay reflects on his derby day winner for Sheffield Wednesday

After a 1-0 victory at Hillsborough in October, Sheffield Wednesday went into derby day at Bramall Lane with an opportunity to complete their first league double over The Blades since 1913.

They got off to the perfect start when Tommy Spurr scored after a minute, but United were almost immediately level through Italian striker Arturo Lupoli.

However, on the half-hour mark, Marcus Tudgay powered an unstoppable strike past Paddy Kenny, which would be enough to secure a historic win for The Owls.

Reflecting on his goal in 2018, Tudgay told The Star: “We [Sheffield Wednesday] went into the game knowing that the club hadn’t done the double over United for so many years.

“It will always stick in memory, the Bramall Lane match, because it was a great experience. The atmosphere was buzzing.”

Tudgay continued: “For us to go there and get the victory, in the context of how long it had been, meant so much – I loved it.”

The Englishman would eventually leave the club a year later after 211 appearances and 52 goals to his name. Even without these impressive stats, though, his goal at Bramall Lane was enough to make him fondly remembered by Owls fans.

Tudgay reveals surprising fan interaction that could still be key this weekend

Continuing on from reflecting on his goal, Tudgay revealed an otherwise strange interaction with the Owls fans that has remained with him ever since.

He said: “I always remember the passion of the game – fans would say to me that they would take relegation if they could ensure they won this game, that always stuck with me.

“Form completely goes out of the window [in the derby]- it’s about who can handle that pressure.”

Given the length of time since the teams last met, this pressure that Tudgay felt could be a key factor in who comes out on top at Bramall Lane. If Rohl’s Owls can understand the importance of the derby to the fans and handle this pressure, Sheffield United’s superior league form may become irrelevant.

All eyes then point to the current Owls squad, as one of them has the opportunity to create the moment that puts guarantees their spot in the Sheffield Wednesday history books, just as Tudgay did in 2009.