Super sub rescues point
Sheffield Wednesday picked up a point at Ipswich Town on Wednesday thanks to Atdhe Nuhiu’s late leveller.
The Owls came into the game on a 4-match unbeaten run but looking to improve on an uninspiring performance in the 0-0 draw at home to Bristol City on Saturday. Sadly, the first half offered much of the same with some neat passing at times but zero penetration. Jordan Rhodes headed tamely wide with a chance he should really have taken while at the other end Westwood made routine saves from McGoldrick and Wag horn when the Owls dithered at the back and Celina headed straight at the Owls keeper.
Wednesday showed more positivity after the break but that was quickly undone when they fell behind on 48 minutes. Fox deflected Waghorn’s effort just wide and from the resulting corner a near post flick-on found was tapped home from close range at the back post by Garner who had left Tom Lees sleeping.
The visitors upped the pace after that and spent much of the time in the Ipswich half but were nearly caught on the break when Sears found himself 1-on-1 with Westwood but the keeper blocked his low drive. Carlos Carvalhal had thrown Fletcher and Lee on in place of Fox and Wallace in a bid to get back into the game and that move was to pay dividends.
On 64 minutes Wednesday were awarded their first penalty in over 30 games when Spence deflected a cross that was destined for Fletcher away with his arm. Hooper stepped up and made no mistake, firing a well-struck penalty into the back of the net.
The Owls were now in the ascendancy and putting pressure on their hosts but shot themselves in the foot by conceding a poor goal with 20 minutes to play. Fletcher played a poor cross-field pass out of play and Lees was slow to react allowing Ipswich to mount an attack. Sears cross then evaded Reach who misjudged the flight and was unable to head away, instead allowing Huws to retrieve and cross from the other side. Loovens and Lees were slow to get back into position, allowing Waghorn space inside the box and the former Rangers striker rose well to head into the top corner, giving Westwood no chance.
The Owls huffed and puffed but could find a way through until deep into injury time when a fine flowing move earned them a point. Hooper pivoted excellently on half way and freed Bannan into space on the left. Reach overlapped and took Bannan’s pass down the line before delivering a fine cross to the back post where late substitute Nuhiu rose highest to power a header past the helpless Bialkowski and make it 2-2.
The Owls played with more attacking intent than the weekend but worryingly it took an Ipswich goal to get them to really come out of their shell and defensively the whole of the back 4 had an off night. An improved display will be needed at Reading on Saturday.