Much improved Owls record important away win

Last updated : 30 June 2020 By C. Morris
Wednesday close in on top half
 
Sheffield Wednesday enjoyed their first away win in the Championship since early January on Sunday as they took 3 points away from Ashton Gate with a 2-1 win over Bristol City.
 
Garry Monk named an unchanged starting 11 from the team that produced an encouraging display in the 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest when the Championship resumed the previous weekend. Nuhiu replaced the injured Fletcher on the bench. Bristol City made no less than 7 changes following a disappointing defeat at Blackburn Rovers and the home side started well. 
 
Joe Wildsmith produced a stunning save from a close-range header from City defender Nathan Baker and from that the Owls were able to take the lead inside 15 minutes.
A well worked corner routine enabled Wickham to find space at the front post and his fine flicked header from Murphy's delivery sailed into the opposite side of the goal for his second strike in 2 games.
 
The 3-5-2 formation that Monk had adopted since returning from lock down has given Wednesday more assurance on the ball and they were largely untroubled for the remainder of the first half and went close to doubling their lead when Muprhy cut back for Rhodes who saw his close range shot turned around the post.
 
Fox replaced the injured Borner at half-time but the visitors continued to play well in the 2nd half and doubled their lead from another corner on the hour mark. Murphy's cross looked to pick out Wickham again and as the hosts failed to clear Luongo pounced to fire in the loose ball.
 
Moments later the Owls went close to adding a third as Luongo picked out Wickham with a low cross but he scuffed his shot wide and moments later City were back in the game. A deep free kick caused problems, Wildsmith made another fine save from a Baker header but Wells was on hand to nod home the rebound from close range. 
 
With 20 minutes to go the home side were back in with a chance but they were unable to apply any sustained pressure and the Owls were able to see the game out with Wildsmith going largely untested in the closing stages.
 
Wednesday have picked up 4 points from 2 games since the resumption and move up to 13th place in the Championship table, 3 points behind the top half. Their next game is at home to 2nd-placed West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday evening.