Late goal steals a point for Baggies
Sheffield Wednesday made it 7 points from 9 over the festive period thanks to a 1-1 draw at promotion chasing West Brom on Saturday but it was almost another victory for stand-in manager Lee Bullen and his team.
Wednesday went into the game without Keiren Westwood in goal, Cameron Dawson returning to the side in his place and Steven Fletcher was replaced by Atdhe Nuhiu in attack. The big Kosovo striker wasted no time in making the most of his opportunity, sweeping home the opening goal from close range after Adam Reach's corner was headed back across goal.
The home side were struggling to make in roads on Wednesday's well drilled shape and it was the Owls who had the clearer chances to add to their advantage in the first half. Matias forced a diving save from Johnstone after running onto a sublime Bannan pass and Fox was denied by the keeper having latched onto a corner at the back post. Wednesday suffered a blow close to half-time when Reach had to be replaced by Pelupessy though Bullen has since suggested that it may only be a small hamstring issue for the in-form midfielder.
There was little goalmouth action of note in the early 2nd half exchanges with Barnes curling over from distance for the hosts, whose task became more difficult on 63 minutes when striker Jay Rodriguez was sent off for what appeared to be an off the ball stamp on Marco Matias.
West Brom looked to their bench for a route back into the game with Barry, Phillips and Robson-Kanu all making an appearance and the latter forced Dawson into a fine diving save from his looping header.
The referee added 6 minutes of stoppage time at the end and the Owls had a chance to wrap the game up on the break as Bannan carried the ball 40-50 yards only to fire way off target. Just as it looked as though the visitors had done enough the Baggies scored from a late corner that went into the net inadevertently off Wednesday substitute David Jones.
Although a draw at The Hawthorns is a creditable result it will feel like 2 points dropped, just as it did in the reverse fixture at Hillsborough back in October when Wednesday conceded 2 late goals.
Next up for Wednesday is a home game on New Years Day against in-form Birmingham City.