Excellent Easter for Owls

Last updated : 02 April 2018 By C. Morris

Sunderland seen off at Stadium of Light

Sheffield Wednesday picked up their 2nd win of the Easter holiday period on Monday with a 3-1 win at sorry Sunderland.

A fairly uneventful first-half yielded few clear-cut chances for either side and just like against Preston on good Friday the Owls were probably happy to reach the break at 0-0. The visitors did however suffer another injury blow in the 1st half as defender Morgan Fox had to be replaced early on due to an injury that is likely to have ended his season.

The tempo was raised in the second half, the home side forcing a number of corners that came to nothing and Wednesday looking threatening on the break. Just before the hour-mark it was Wednesday who made the breakthrough, Bannan’s ball in was knocked down by Nuhiu to his strike partner Joao and the Portuguese striker fired past Camp in the Sunderland goal.

To their credit Sunderland’s response was almost immediate and they were back on level terms within 2 minutes as Gooch picked out Honeyman to score at the back post. However, it took the Owls barely 5 minutes to regain the lead as Pelupessy’s free-kick picked out Tom Lees to volley home from close range. Again, the home side looked to respond and almost levelled within a minute as Cattermole hit the inside of the post from distance.

The Owls knocked the stuffing out of their hosts with 15 minutes to go when Reach crossed for Joao and although Camp could keep out his effort Nuhiu was on hand to head in for 3-1. Wednesday saw the game out without any difficulty from then on, moving to within 6 points of the top half of the Championship table with Sunderland now 5 points from safety.

Next up for the Owls is the visit of in-form Fulham to Hillsborough on Saturday.