Slight improvement but another defeat for Owls
Sheffield Wednesday slumped to their 3rd successive home defeat in the Championship on Saturday as Derby County ran out 2-1 winners at Hillsborough.
Wednesday started the game brightly and fully deserved the lead that Adam Reach gave them inside 15 minutes when he slotted home from close range having picked up Bannan's sublime ball over the Derby defence. Young Rams defender Tomori was fortunate not to see red with Wednesday on top, having already been booked he committed two fouls that could easily have been worth a further caution but the referee was lenient. Frank Lampard knew he was walking a dangerous line in that respect and substituted Tomori at half-time.
On the half-hour mark Derby found a leveler against the run of play when a lucky deflection found its way to Harry Wilson who struck a fine volley to give Dawson no chance. The goal clearly rocked Wednesday's confidence and within 5 minutes the visitors had the lead when a mistake by the otherwise impressive Hector allowed Marriott to race on to Jozefzoon's though ball and slot past Dawson. It might have been 3 before half-time as the same pair linked up again but Marriott's strike came back off the bar.
Forestieri spurned a great chance to make it 2-2 early in the second half, firing wide from Reach's through ball and later in the half Fox headed against the post from close range following a Lees header across goal from a set piece.
Wednesday threw Nuhiu on in the closing stages but the big striker had little impact and although it was an improved performance on what the Owls offered prior to the international break it ultimately ended in another defeat.
The Owls are without a home win in 6 attempts and have picked up only 1 point from their last 6 league games, a slump which has seen them fall to within 3 points of the relegation zone. They face fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening.