Newcastle United have been booed off the pitch by their own fans as they failed to take control of a lacklustre first half against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup third-round match at St James' Park.

Steve McClaren made five changes to the team which lost 2-1 at home to Watford at the weekend to make it six games without a win to start the Premier League season, and the hosts started well by dominating possession.

Moussa Sissoko came close to an early breakthrough when he clipped the post with a low shot after being played in by Gabriel Obertan, but Wednesday threatened on the break when Tim Krul was forced to save Marco Matias's effort from distance.

Jeremy Helan also tested Krul as the Owls began to find a foothold in the game, and as the visitors took advantage of some sloppy play in the midfield from the home side, Joao came within inches of giving his side the lead.

Liam Palmer's last-ditch challenge prevented Siem de Jong from opening the scoring for Newcastle, but the Magpies' fans began to turn on their team as they toiled against Wednesday's discipline.

The visitors were comfortable in seeing out the half at 0-0 as the home side left the pitch to boos at the half-time whistle.