SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY and Reading are both desperate for a cup run to brighten up dismal Championship campaigns.
The two sides reached the play-offs last season but sit in 17th and 18th respectively this term.
Sheffield Wednesday swept into the fifth round of the FA Cup after a comfortable win over Reading at Hillsborough.
Atdhe Nuhiu scored twice and George Boyd also found the net to decide a low key affair which lacked real quality and tempo.
Sam Smith grabbed a late consolation effort for Reading but Wednesday were in cruise control by that point.
The Owls had more than enough reasons to celebrate as they stretched the unbeaten start of boss Jos Luhukay to four matches as they reached the fifth round of the competition for the first time in four years.
And they also showed a welcome ruthlessness in front of goal for the first time under new management.
Luhukay handed a debut to new signing Joey Pelupessy in one of seven changes made from the goalless draw with Cardiff City.
Glenn Loovens returned from suspension while Nuhiu and Marco Matias were selected up front.
Wednesday had an early scare when David Edwards beat the offside flag and break clear only for Cameron Dawson saved well with his legs as the midfielder attempted to place into the bottom corner.
The game lacked real quality in the early stages, particularly from Wednesday who gifted possession to the opposition far too easily, playing into the hands of a Reading side keen to dominate the ball.
But the Royals struggled to make their control of possession count and were punished once the Owls found their feet.
Wednesday took the lead on 29 minutes. Frederico Venancio played a superb ball over the top from half way which sent Nuhiu clear before he slammed a low shot in on the angle.
The Owls were buoyed by the goal and soon after Morgan Fox forced a good save from Jaakola at his near post.
Chances were still at a premium for both sides but the cushion of a goal saw Wednesday grow in confidence.
Yann Kermorgant should have equalised for Reading early in the second half when he met a Garath McCleary cross only to send his shot straight at Dawson.
But that chance was emmintnetly more difficult than the one missed by Bodvarsson moments later.
McCleary's pass into the area was allowed to roll through to Bovarsson in space at the back post but Dawson flashed out a hand to keep out the shot and quickly dived onto the loose ball.
It was a miss that was soon punished as Wednesday doubled their advantage on 53 minutes.
Matias showed real determination to chase a lost cause and clip a low ball into the box which Nuhiu ran onto and finished confidently first time.
Reading threatened to make a game of it when Leandro Bacuna smashed a shot from 25 yards but it rattled back off the post.
Just after the hour mark Wednesday put the game to bed as Boyd strolled through the Reading defence and struck a tame effort beyond Jaakola whose feet were planted.
Wednesday strolled through the final half hour and threatened to add to their total.
Matias showed a brilliant touch on the edge of the area to bring the ball down and drill a low shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Reading's threat was minimal, though Dawson did have to be alert to keep out Liam Moore's close range header.
Matias caused plenty of panic among the Reading defence again as the Owls pressed on for a fourth. He clipped a ball past Tiago Ilori and fired a low shot which Jaakola batted away at his near post.
The next goal would come for the visitors however - and with a stroke of fortune.
Bodvarsson cracked a shot off the post via a deflection but the ball bounced off the back of Dawson and spun towards the line with substitute Smith sliding in to make sure it went in.
Matias thought he had restored Wednesday's lead almost immediately when he cut across the box and fired in low but the offside flag was up.
Wednesday: Dawson, Hunt, Venancio, Loovens, Pudil (Palmer 63), Fox, Boyd, Pelupessy, Reach (Jones 71), Matias (Rhodes 89), Nuhiu. Subs not used: Wildsmith, Butterfield, Joao, Wallace.
Reading: Jaakola, Gunter, Moore, Ilori, McCleary (Barrow 67), Bacuna (Evans 79), Clement, Edwards, Beerens, Kermorgant (Smith 79), Bodvarsson. Subs not used: Mannone, Aluko, Blackett, Kelly.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire)
Attendance: 14,848
There will be a Dutch management team in each technical area tonight.
Owls boss Jos Luhukay and his right-hand man Remy Reynierse will renew acquaintances with Reading chief Jaap Stam and his assistant Andries Ulderink.
Luhukay and Stam played against each other in the Netherlands during their playing days but this evening’s FA Cup fourth round duel at Hillsborough will be the first time they have gone head-to-head as managers.
Luhukay, who’s sole win in charge of the Owls since replacing Carlos Carvalhal earlier in January was against Carlisle in a third-round replay, said he has had “no contact” with Stam in recent years.
But he has plenty of respect for the job the former Manchester United defender has done at Reading. Stam surpassed all expectations by leading the Royals to the Championship Play-Off Final last year. The Berkshire club lost the showpiece fixture on penalties to Huddersfield Town, agonisingly missing out on a lucrative place in the Premier League.
“Last year was his first year in England and he did a very good job,” Luhukay told The Star. “Everyone knows that the final against Huddersfield was not such a happy end.
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“It was disappointing for him personally, the team and fans to come very close to going up but for it not happen.”
Things have been tougher this time around and Stam’s men slipped to 18th in the standings after Saturday’s defeat to Brentford.
The Royals are just four points above the relegation zone and without a league win in eight outings.
Luhukay said: “The situation is not the same this year. They played at the top of the Championship (last year) and now they must also, like us, work hard to stay in the league and maybe you can make steps for a better situation.”
Despite Reading’s struggles, Luhukay is refusing to take them lightly.
“It will be a very hard game for both teams,” he said. “Reading have quality. They have a good structure in the team. They have fast wingers and are very dangerous there. We must have the focus and concentration to stop the quality from Reading.”
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Ulderink is looking forward to meeting up with his fellow countrymen again.
He said: “I met Jos Luhukay when I went to do my badges – he was also there at the same place at the beginning, but he got a job very quickly in Germany so he left the course and went there.
“And Remy Reynierse was the one who was giving the course! I’ve met him many times through the years.”
There is a strong chance Luhukay will give new midfielder Joey Pelupessy his Owls debut.
When asked about potential further additions, Luhukay said: “We have trust in our squad. When all the injured players come back in the next weeks, we have a strong team I think.
“I’m not a manager who says everyday we must have new players. I have trust in my squad, in my team, and we are working hard together and very intensive. So let’s see what will happen.”
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Derby County’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday will have to be rearranged.
The Rams were due to face Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday, February 17 - but the Owls will now be in FA Cup action that weekend.
Jos Luhukay's side booked their place in the last 16 of the competition on Friday night courtesy of a 3-1 fourth round victory at home to Reading.
Atdhe Nuhiu netted twice for the hosts, with George Boyd also on target in the all-Championship tie.
Reading managed a late consolation thanks to an own goal from keeper Cameron Dawson.
A new date for Derby's trip to Sheffield will be announced in due course.
The FA Cup has affected the Rams' league schedule this weekend, too.
They were due to visit Millwall but that game will now take place on Tuesday night (7.45pm), as the Lions entertain Rochdale in the cup on Saturday.
