Sheffield Wednesday match report: Owls 0 Leeds United 2

Sheffield Wednesday today slipped to their second consecutive Championship defeat, losing 2-0 to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds UnitedSheffield Wednesday v Leeds United
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United

Second-half strikes by Marcus Antonsson and Chris Wood condemned the Owls to their first Hillsborough defeat of the campaign as the Whites deservedly claimed the local bragging rights.The Owls paid the price for missing a string of first-half opportunities, with Fernando Forestieri (2) and Almen Abdi both denied.It is only the second defeat Wednesday have suffered on home soil in their last 23 league outings.Carlos Carvalhal made two changes to his starting line. He freshened up his forward line, bringing in Forestieri - just a week after the striker refused to play against Norwich City. The former Italian Under-21 international has since apologised to Carvalhal, chairman Dejphon Chansiri, his teammates and the fans for his "unprofessional" actions. Forestieri was fined by the Championship club, who have drawn a line under the matter.Wednesday also welcomed back captain and former Leeds United centre-back Tom Lees following a foot problem. The 25-year-old sat-out their midweek loss at Burton Albion.New arrivals David Jones and Vincent Sasso, recruited from Burnley and Braga respectively this week, were named on the substitutes bench.Leeds, chasing their first win under former Owls loanee Garry Monk, altered their entire midfield. Pablo Hernandez, Kalvin Phillips, Kemar Roofe and Stuart Dallas all dropped to the bench, with Monk handing starts to Ronaldo Vieira, Liam Bridcutt, Alex Mowatt and Hadi Sacko.

The visitors made a bright start, with Chris Wood shrugging off the attentions of Jack Hunt out wide before over hitting his cross.But Wednesday quickly hit back and Ross Wallace saw his weak shot easily saved by Rob Green before Forestieri dragged wide when well-placed.Leeds were struggling to cope with the Owls' high-tempo pressing game and Almen Abdi spurned another great chance after a fine delivery by Hunt.It was then Forestieri's turn to take centre stage. The little attacker prodded wide in a one-on-one situation following a defensive lapse by Charlie Taylor.Moments later, Forestieri burst clear again, rounded goalkeeper Rob Green, only to see his strike from an acute angle headed behind for a corner by Whites captain Liam Cooper.Midway-through the half, Wood wasted Leeds' best chance, nodding off target following a peach of a centre by Alex Mowatt.It was proving a decent spell for Leeds and Hadi Sacko nearly put them ahead after latching on to Ronaldo Viera's lovely through ball. The winger controlled it superbly but failed to test Kieren Westwood near the byline.A strong run by Antonsson had Wednesday's defence back-pedalling but his 25-yard drive drifted harmlessly off target.It took a stunning last-ditch challenge by Hunt to prevent Wood from testing the reflexes of Westwood as Leeds continued to dominate.Abdi, still looking to hit top gear after arriving from Watford, was desperately unlucky not to put the Owls ahead before the interval. His curling right foot free-kick struck the crossbar.That was Abdi's last contribution as Carvalhal brought him off at half-time for the second match on the spin. The midfielder's replacement was Gary Hooper and his introduction meant Forestieri switched to the left flank.

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The tactical change didn't appear to make much of a difference, with Leeds starting the second period on the front foot. Lees had to be alert to thwart Wood after a neat turn inside the penalty area by the big forward. Wood's low drive was deflected behind.Sacko, a constant menace on the right, blazed over after Antonsson had wriggled past Hunt.The Swede put Leeds in front, heading home from close range a pinpoint centre by the dangerous Sacko. It was a rapid counter attack involving Wood, Luke Ayling and Sacko which completely opened Carvalhal's side up.Carvalhal threw on Jones and the Owls almost levelled things up in the 68th minute. Fletcher burst past Cooper and picked out an unmarked Hooper but Rob Green kept out the former Norwich City player's low shot with his feet.Hutchinson had a decent penalty shout turned down after a risky shoulder barge by Alex Mowatt but the referee was not interested.For all their possession, Wednesday lacked a cutting edge in the final third and Forestieri's rasping shot was gathered at the second time of asking by Green.Things really opened up in the closing stages as Fletcher volleyed wide before Leeds substitute Souleymane Doukara drilled inches wide at the other end.But Leeds caught the Owls' defence napping in the 84th minute, Wood tapping in his second in as many matches after being fed by Kemar Roofe.Sacko could have capped an excellent individual display with a third but the lively winger fired wide when he should have done better.

Owls: Westwood; Hunt (Buckley 72), Hutchinson, Lees, Pudil; Wallace (Jones 63), Bannan, Lee, Abdi (Hooper HT); Forestieri, Fletcher. Substitutes: Wildsmith, Palmer, Joao, Sasso.Leeds: Green; Ayling, Cooper, Bartley, Taylor; Sacko (Phillips 88), Bridcutt, Vieira, Mowatt (Roofe 77); Antonsson (Doukara 69), Wood. Subs: Silvestri, Coyle, Bamba, Hernandez.Attendance: 29,075Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)