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Sheffield Wednesday emerged from the Championship relegation zone for the first time this season with a 1-0 win over fellow Derby at Hillsborough.
Wayne Rooney’s Rams put up a commanding display in the first half and could have moved on with a number of chances, especially when Colin Kazim-Richards’ header hit the crossbar.
It looked like the second half would follow a similar theme, but on Wednesday he posted a third win in three games, and the second in a row under interim manager Neil Thompson, as Callum Paterson came up close (61).
The victory moves the Owls past Derby and up to 20th, with Rooney’s team now 21st. Nottingham Forest falls into the bottom three as a result, ahead of their trip to Preston on Saturday.
A turning point for Sheffield Wednesday?
Exactly one year had passed since Rooney’s arrival at the Derby and, after a landslide 4-0 win over Birmingham last time, there were undoubtedly ambitions to mark the occasion with a valuable victory.
At around 15 minutes, the Rams began to show their intentions. Joe Wildsmith parried Louie Sibley’s long-range shot before Graeme Shinnie’s follow-up was thrown over the bar. Adam Reach threw a shot into the stands with one of Wednesday’s rare starts.
Derby probably should have taken the lead his company warranted just before half an hour, when Kazim-Richards ducked down to receive a handsome cross from Craig Forsyth from the left flank and drove a header off the crossbar with Wildsmith out-beaten.
An injury to Josh Windass forced Wednesday caretaker Neil Thompson to introduce Elias Kachunga and the former Huddersfield forward nearly gave the hosts the advantage against the game’s gait when he jumped to watch Barry Bannan’s free kick deflected from the left post .
Forsyth sent a low cross slide through the six-yard box that eluded several teammates shortly after the break, but just after the hour, the hosts took the lead against the run as Paterson passed the ball over the line. after Derby failed. to clear Bannan’s free kick.
Derby continued to attack with little reward and was denied a penalty in second-half injury time, when Lee Buchanan’s shot appeared to hit Kadeem Harris’s hand, marking their second loss since November 25.
Man of the match – Liam Shaw
Keith Andrews of Sky Sports …
It was a collective effort by Sheffield Wednesday, but he fitted in well as a central defender. It wasn’t an easy night dealing with Colin Kazim-Richards, but he got to his feet and handled it very well.
What the managers said …
Sheffield Wednesday Acting Manager Neil thompson: “The first half we weren’t in the races and we were a bit lucky, let’s be honest. It seemed like the games had caught up with one or two, but I talked a bit at half time and we were much better second half.
“I have to say the guys gave everything they had. We got it out, Pato got his goal and it was great. I’m delighted.”
Acting Derby Manager Wayne Rooney: “We were in full control, we created some really good chances, we didn’t take advantage of them and then we almost found the game too easy. I thought we got bored of doing the right things and it cost us.
“When you’re at the top and you create opportunities, you have to seize them. I felt like we started to get involved in a game that Sheffield Wednesday wanted. It’s something we have to learn from. We have to enjoy doing the right things.”
Whats Next?
Both clubs will participate in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, January 9. Derby will travel to Lancashire to face Chorley of the National League North at 12.15 pm. M., while Sheffield Wednesday will face Exeter at St James Park at 3pm. M.
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