Sheffield Wednesday secured their first league victory since the opening day of the season on Saturday, beating Fulham 3-2 at Hillsborough.
The Owls were good value for the victory thanks largely to a high-tempo first half in which they created plenty of chances.
Barry Bannan, making his home debut, was denied a headed opener by a fine save from Lonergan and the playmaker then curled just wide when well positioned inside the penalty area. The home side were rewarded for their good start to the game when Fernando Forestieri – another player making his home debut – headed home a Ross Wallace corner from close range.
Fulham eventually began to find their feet and equalised with their only effort on target in the first half when O’Hara hit a well placed shot past Westwood from the edge of the box after the Owls failed to clear their lines.
Wednesday reacted well to the setback and Lonergan was on top form once again denying Lopez a goal from a header at point-blank range. The Owls were deservedly back in front before half-time though as another Wallace corner was headed in by Tom Lees at the back post.
Nuhiu went close to extending the lead before the break, heading another excellent Wallace cross just over the bar but the Owls were dealt a set back at the break when the influential Forestieri had to be substituted due to a slight injury, Lucas Joao coming on in his place.
The Owls went 3-1 up within 5 minutes of the 2nd half as Michael Turner headed yet another sublime Wallace set-piece in to the back of the net on his home debut.
At that point it looked as question of how many the Owls would win by rather than whether they would win at all but to their credit Fulham rolled up their sleeves and got back into the game.
Cairney headed a goal from close range after a good Fulham move down the Owls left hand side to set up a nervy last 20 minutes for the Hillsborough faithful. The Owls spurned a few chances to wrap up the points, most notably when Bannan fired into the side netting with Joao waiting for a pass in a better position. The visitors almost rescued a point in injury time when big defender Dan Burn was played in but Westwood was quick off his line to keep the ball out.
Wednesday, playing a 4-4-1-1 formation for the first time at home this season, created far more chances than they had done in previous home games when playing 4-3-3 and earned a well deserved 3 points.
The Owls now travel to under pressure Premier League side Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup in midweek.