Four-star Wednesday clatter Clarets

Sodje: Scored twice then limped off

The Owls, who escaped relegation on the final day last season, made a lightning start to the Championship season and were two goals up inside four minutes, with Tudgay and Sodje stunning the Clarets defence.

Burnley striker Martin Paterson marked his debut with a goal just two minutes later in a helter-skelter opening, but Sodje restored the home side's two-goal lead in the 17th minute.

Sodje proved a talismanic figure for Brian Laws' side last season before being sidelined with a long-term ankle injury in January and he exploded back into action.

But Owls fans feared the worst when the former Port Vale forward hobbled off midway through the first period to provide the only blot on an otherwise perfect day.

The Owls, who fired four to beat Norwich on the final day last season to guarantee survival, made a flying start with Tudgay despatching Sodje's ball in from the left into the top corner from 20 yards.

James O'Connor, making his Owls debut against his former club following his summer switch, saw his long-range effort well held.

A little over three minutes into the game Sodje doubled the Owls' advantage, firing home from the edge of the penalty area following Deon Burton's pass.

Burnley pulled a goal back in the sixth minute when Paterson, one of four players making their debuts for Owen Coyle's side, was first to Graham Alexander's cross and headed home into the top corner.

But the Owls restored their two-goal lead in the 17th minute when Sodje converted Jermaine Johnson's left-wing cross from six yards.

Johnson was denied moments later by Burnley goalkeeper Diego Penny, who marked his debut with a flying save to deny the winger's fizzing 20-yard drive.

The Owls were then dealt an unexpected blow when Sodje limped out of the action with what appeared to be an ankle injury in the 21st minute.

Leon Clarke replaced the two-goal striker, with chances at either end drying up after a frenetic first 20 minutes.

Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant tipped Chris McCann's 25-yard shot round his post soon after the restart and pulled off another fine save to deny Robbie Blake's rasping drive as Burnley resumed full of purpose.

But Wednesday rode out the early storm in the second period and effectively killed the game off in the 65th minute when Tudgay fired his second.

Clarke found his strike partner with a deft pass inside the penalty area and Tudgay applied an emphatic finish, high into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Tudgay was denied a hat-trick in the 72nd minute when his 25-yard shot was brilliantly saved by Penny.

Jimmy Smith, on loan from Chelsea, made his first competitive appearance for the Owls when he replaced Johnson midway through the second half, while Penny, Remco van der Schaaf, Paterson and Chris Eagles all made Burnley debuts they will soon want to forget.