Sheffield Wednesday

REPORT: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough have ended a run of three straight away defeats in the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Ross Wallace gave The Owls the lead in the first half before Jonny Howson levelled matters for Boro in the second period after Grant Leadbitter had seen a penalty kick saved by home keeper Joe Wildsmith moments earlier. The game was decided seven minutes from time when Boro defender Ryan Shotton thundered a headed effort into the net from a corner kick.

The first half saw Wednesday presented with a half chance early on but Adam Reach saw a low shot across goal go wide. Middlesbrough were given a huge let-off soon after when defender Shotton misjudged a ball into the box but Gary Hooper was unable to make full contact on the ball to get his shot away.

Martin Braithwaite was the first visiting player to test home keeper Wildsmith but The Owls stopper safely gathered his effort before the so often reliable Patrick Bamford produced an unforgivable miss as he headed wide from six yards out.

The home side took the lead on the half-hour mark when some nice work from Daniel Pudil and Reach on the left resulted in the ball being fed to Hooper. The striker teed up teammate Wallace who was in plenty of space to get a shot off and beat Boro keeper Darren Randolph from 10 yards.

Howson then hooked a shot just over from close range from a Bamford knockdown before Braithwaite rounded Wildsmith but Boro were unable to find the back of the net. Britt Assombalonga also missed a good opportunity to score from six yards as the half ended with a 1-0 advantage for the hosts.

Wednesday could have been 2-0 up early in the second half but Atdhe Nuhiu failed to get his shot away on goal following a cross from the left. Middlesbrough were handed just as good an opportunity minutes later but Wildsmith pulled off a stunning save to deny Braithwaite at point blank range.

Just before the hour, Owls fans were left with their hearts in their mouths as a Cyrus Christie cross from the right was met by the sliding Assombalonga. The Boro hitman placed the ball into the net but his effort was disallowed for offside.

A little over 20 minutes before the end, Boro were awarded a penalty kick when Wednesday substitute Jacob Butterfield brought down Bamford in the box. Leadbitter stepped up to take the spot kick but his poor penalty was saved by Wildsmith. Garry Monk’s side’s despair soon turned to delight though when Howson fired in from 20 yards just moments later.

The home side immediately went on the attack and a Reach header failed to trouble Randolph before Bamford’s looping effort struck the crossbar at the other end.

It looked as though the two sides would have to settle for an unwanted share of the spoils but Boro defender Shotton headed in a winning goal from a corner kick in the dying stages of the match to give his side a priceless victory and turn up the heat on Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal.

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