Owls match report: Huddersfield 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1

The striker, a constant thorn in the Terriers side, slid in to convert substitute Lucas Joao's fine centre to further boost Carlos Carvalhal's team's promotion tilt.

Victory moved the Owls above Derby County into fifth position, ensuring they consolidated their play-off position.

Carvalhal's troops, roared on by almost 4,000 fans, have now gone six hours without conceding a goal on the road.

The result also stretched Wednesday's unbeaten record at Huddersfield to five matches, winning three of those tussles.

Carvalhal made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Joe Bennett and Alex Lopez at left-back and midfield respectively. Daniel Pudil and Sam Hutchinson were left out of the match-day squad. It is understood Hutchinson missed out due to illness.

In the early stages, Huddersfield enjoyed the bulk of possession but the visitors carved out the first meaningful opportunity. Ross Wallace, the Owls' leading assists maker (8), cut inside on to his favour left foot and unleashed a fierce shot which was deflected narrowly wide.

Harry Bunn, one of two changes made by the Terriers following their superb come-from-behind victory over Leeds United before the international break, let fly from 20 yards only for Tom Lees to divert it behind for a corner.

It took a vital tackle from Huddersfield's giant teenage midfielder Philip Billing to prevent Aiden McGeady racing clear on to Fernando Forestieri's clever pass.

Both sides continued to cancel each other out and goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium.

Skipper Glenn Loovens became the first player to be cautioned after scything down Huddersfield's dangerman Nahki Wells near the half-way line in the 32nd minute.

Dean Whitehead should have joined Loovens in the book after cynically upending Forestieri but referee Iain Williamson only awarded a free-kick. Wallace's left foot curler was smartly kept out by Jed Steer diving to his left.

Keiren Westwood was called into action six minutes before the interval, comfortably saving Tommy Smith's low drive following a dangerous counter attack by David Wagner's side.

Tempers threatened to boil over when Joel Lynch and Gary Hooper clashed following an aerial challenge, but referee Williamson stepped in to calm the situation down.

Huddersfield made a tactical substitution at half-time, replacing the ineffective Karim Matmour with Jamie Paterson.

Centre-back Mark Hudson, booked at the end of the first period, was lucky to escape a red card after sending Forestieri tumbling out wide. He was given a stern telling off by Williamson and withdrawn minutes later by Wagner.

Sandwiched in between, McGeady saw his right foot strike headed off the line by Lynch as the Owls upped the ante.

Both teams lacked penetration and composure in the final third as Paterson prodded well wide after good build-up play by Lolley.

After the re-start, Wednesday carried the greater attacking threat and Jack Hunt, who was frequently booed on his return to his former club, lifted over when well-placed after a neat cut back by substitute Atdhe Nuhiu.

Carvalhal threw on Lucas Joao to add more pace and menace to his forward line and the Portugal international teed up Forestieri, who curled agonisingly wide from distance.

Moments after going behind, Huddersfield almost levelled things up but Billing saw his header cleared away from near the goal line.

Westwood was equal to a Lolley effort in the dying minutes, but Wednesday held on to take the derby spoils.

Huddersfield: Steer; Smith, Lynch, Hudson (Cranie 58), Husband; Whitehead, Billing; Lolley, Matmour (Paterson HT), Bunn (Scannell 80), Wells. Substitutes: Murphy, Davidson, Huws, Van La Parra.

Wednesday: Westwood; Hunt, Loovens, Lees, Bennett; Wallace, Lopez, Lee, McGeady (Joao 76); Forestieri (Matias 85), Hooper (Nuhiu 70). Substitutes: Wildsmith, Palmer, Turner, McGugan.

Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire)

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