Sheffield Wednesday’s miracle night against Peterborough United has now been given the wider recognition it always deserved.
The EFL has confirmed that Wednesday’s extraordinary 2023 League One Play-Off semi-final comeback has been voted the greatest match in the history of the Sky Bet EFL Play-Offs, following a fan vote to mark 40 seasons of Play-Off drama.
For Owls supporters, of course, there was never much doubt.
After the 4-0 first-leg defeat at London Road, Wednesday looked finished. It was not just a poor result. It felt like the end of a season, the end of a promotion push and, for many, the end of belief.
Then Hillsborough happened.
Michael Smith’s early penalty gave Wednesday the start they desperately needed. Lee Gregory made it 2-0 before half-time, and suddenly the impossible had begun to look just about possible. Reece James then added a third after the break before Liam Palmer’s stoppage-time equaliser sent Hillsborough into chaos and forced extra time.
Even then, Wednesday were not done the hard way.
Peterborough struck in extra time through a Gregory own goal, putting the visitors back ahead on aggregate. But Callum Paterson’s 112th-minute finish levelled the tie once again, before Wednesday held their nerve from the spot to complete one of the most ridiculous, emotional and unforgettable nights English football has ever seen.
The EFL vote saw Wednesday’s comeback finish ahead of Charlton Athletic’s famous 1998 First Division Play-Off Final win over Sunderland, widely remembered as the Clive Mendonca Final, while Watford’s dramatic 2013 semi-final victory over Leicester City — the “Deeney” game — came third.
Those matches are part of EFL folklore, but Wednesday’s night against Peterborough had something even rarer. It had humiliation, defiance, late drama, extra-time heartbreak, another comeback and then the nerve-shredding release of penalties. It was the sort of game that made no sense while it was happening and still barely makes sense when you watch it back.
For Wednesday fans, it will always be more than a great Play-Off match.
It was the Miracle of Hillsborough.
And now, officially, it stands above the lot.