Sheffield Wednesday: Carlos Carvalhal hails front pair as Gary Hooper and Fernando Forestieri '˜click' into gear in win over Huddersfield Town

Boss Carlos Carvalhal heaped praise on his forward line after seeing the Owls end Huddersfield Town's 100 per cent home record.
Gary Hooper closes down Town's Mark HudsonGary Hooper closes down Town's Mark Hudson
Gary Hooper closes down Town's Mark Hudson

Fernando Forestieri’s penalty midway through the second half clinched Wednesday’s fifth Championship victory in their last seven outings.

Carvalhal said in the build-up to yesterday’s televised encounter that there was more to come from Forestieri and Gary Hooper and the Owls head coach was delighted with how the duo worked in tandem.

Fernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the OwlsFernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the Owls
Fernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the Owls
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He said: “Gary and Fernando did a fantastic job. They ran a lot and put the team first before themselves which is what we wanted.

“Gary and Fernando have everything to do well. They have the environment, we like them, their colleagues like them and the fans like them.

“But sometimes with attackers they are trying and working hard for the team but need a click. It can be one goal or a game.

“Gary had a slow start last season but when he started scoring goals and playing well, he did absolutely fantastic and Fernando was the same. I believe that the click they needed was today.

Fernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the OwlsFernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the Owls
Fernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the Owls
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“I believe the future is bright with these two and we need them in our team.”

Victory lifted the Owls up to seventh in the table, just six points adrift of new leaders Norwich City but Carvalhal is refusing to look too far ahead.

“It is a hard competition; it is a marathon,” stressed Carvalhal. “There are a lot of games.

“The teams that are more balanced, have their feet on the floor and understand the competition are the ones who can do really well.

Fernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the OwlsFernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the Owls
Fernando Forestieri penalty and celebrations that win the game for the Owls
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“We did very well last season and we are trying to manage expectations which can sometimes be a problem in this environment.”

Carvalhal freshened up his team, handing first-team recalls to Liam Palmer, Sam Hutchinson, David Jones and Hooper. Hutchinson delivered an accomplished display at the heart of their rearguard after receiving treatment in the first half following a collision with Nahki Wells.

“Sam had a small knee pain but he is a gladiator,” said Carvalhal.

“He wanted to stay on. He plays with his heart. We have more players who play sometimes in difficult situations. Sam did well and finished the game so it means that it will not be a big problem but let’s see in the next few days.”