Full Time Report: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Ipswich Town 1

Sheffield Wednesday were held to a draw by Ipswich at Hillsborough in a match they should have won with ease.
Fernando Forestieri celebrates putting Sheffield Wednesday in front against IpswichFernando Forestieri celebrates putting Sheffield Wednesday in front against Ipswich
Fernando Forestieri celebrates putting Sheffield Wednesday in front against Ipswich

Though not playing particularly well, Wednesday dominated most of the game but had to settle for a draw after Fernando Forestieri's opener was cancelled out by Andre Dozzell's header in the second half.

Carlos Carvalhal made five changes to the side which lost so convincingly to Bristol City last Saturday. In came Keiren Westwood, Glenn Loovens who missed out through illness and ankle injury respectively last week, while there were recalls for Jack Hunt, Ross Wallace and Lucas Joao. Out went Joe Wildsmith, Liam Palmer, Michael Turner, Aiden McGeady and Atdhe Nuhiu.

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Tom Lees clearss for WednesdayTom Lees clearss for Wednesday
Tom Lees clearss for Wednesday

Gary Hooper, a notable absentee in their Ashton Gate humbling, was deemed only fit enough for the bench.

It was the away side who started brightest, though they were helped by a couple of suspect decisions in the opening few minutes. Freddie Sears appeared to be offside as he broke down the left and Loovens eventually cleared.

And the same player again appeared to be offside when a quick free kick was taken and this time his shot was saved by Westwood.

Wednesday settled after those early scares and went on to dominate the half. Daniel Pudil headed over when well placed, from a Wallace corner and Joao had a couple of half chances but was thwarted by Bartosz Bialkowski.

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Tom Lees clearss for WednesdayTom Lees clearss for Wednesday
Tom Lees clearss for Wednesday

Barry Bannan came close with a shot from 20 yards on 38 minutes as Wednesday pressed for an opener.

And four minutes later, it arrived, thanks to Forestieri.

A cross from the left by Wallace was first dummied, causing an Ipswich defender to miss the ball. It bounced off Joao into the path of Forestieri who rifled home his 15th goal of the season.

The second half took a while to get going, with Wednesday dominating but finding clear opportunities on goal hard to come by. Meanwhile Ipswich, though difficult to break down, were offering little going forward, making for a somewhat flat period.

Bannan came closest to adding to the Owls lead when Forestieri fed Joao, who in turn knocked on to the Scottish midfielder, but rushing in on the stretch, his shot was easily saved.

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Howeever, with the home side looking comfortable, out of the blue Ipswich grabbed an equaliser on 71 minutes. Liam Feeney found space on the left and crossed into the box where he found the unmarked substitute Dozzell who headed past Westwood.

Gary Hooper entered the fray soon after as Wednesday attempted to regain the lead, the striker replacing Alex Lopez.

With Wednesday continuing to look for a winner, Atdhe Nuhiu came on for Joao with seven minutes remaining.

Wallace forced a save from Bialkowski who spilled but did well to recover, but seconds later the keeper almost had a nightmare when he rushed out to clear but fired the ball straight at his defender and out for a corner, which led to nothing.

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It was end to end in the final few minutes but neither side found another goal and it ended 1-1.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Hunt, Loovens, Lees, Pudil, Wallace, Bannan, Lopez, Lee, Joao, Forestieri. Subs: Wildsmith, Sasso, Bennett, McGugan, Matias, Hooper, Nuhiu.

Ipswich Town: Bialkowski, Knudsen, Chambers, Smith, Berra, McGoldrick, Feeney, Bru, Sears, Douglas, Foldey. Subs: Gerken, Pitman, Pringle, McDonnell, Kenlock, Digby, Dozzell.

Referee: Robert Madley