Lacklustre Sheffield Wednesday slump to third successive defeat as Hull City dangerman Jarrod Bowen delivers knockout blow

Wednesday dropped out of the Championship play-off positions after a Yorkshire derby loss to promotion rivals Hull City.

Jarrod Bowen's 61st minute strike condemned the Owls to a third successive league defeat.

It was a tired looking, error-strewn performance from Wednesday. The busy festive schedule, which has seen the Owls play four times in 11 days, has exposed their lack of quality and strength in depth in certain areas.

Not even the return of leading marksman Steven Fletcher could inspire them and Garry Monk has plenty to ponder over the coming days as he seeks to arrest their slide down the table.

Hull had the better of a scrappy first period and should have taken an early lead but defender Matthew Pennington inexplicably chested the ball wide at the back post after Tom Eaves flicked on Kamil Grosicki's corner. It was an early contender for miss of 2020 and a lucky escape for Wednesday.

After a sluggish start, Monk's men improved.

Wing merchant Kadeem Harris looked the most likely to unlock Hull's defence. His pace and directness caused the Tigers problems on the left flank.

Harris made things happen, creating opportunities for Sam Winnall and Adam Reach before seeing a shot brilliantly hooked off the line by Pennington following great play by recalled striker Atdhe Nuhiu.

There was a lack of zip and energy to Wednesday's play so it was no surprise Monk made a half-time alteration. He introduced Fletcher, fit-again after recovering from illness, and the 12-goal striker nearly made an instant impact. He struck the post from inside the six-yard box after Barry Bannan's corner caused mayhem in Hull's defence.

It proved a big moment as Bowen fired the Tigers in front in the 61st minute, sending an unstoppable left foot shot past Cameron Dawson after a peach of a delivery from George Honeyman. It was a neat finish from Bowen and his 17th goal of the season.

Grosicki lifted a shot over after a rapid Hull counter attack as the visitors threatened to double their lead.

And Fletcher almost grabbed an equaliser following a well-worked free kick on the edge of the area. His left foot curler flashed inches off target, with many Wednesdayites celebrating on the Kop thinking it had gone in.

That was as close as the Owls came to scoring as the Tigers held on to complete a league double over Wednesday for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Owls: Dawson; Iorfa, Lees, Borner, Fox; Reach (Murphy 64), Bannan, Hutchinson, Harris; Nuhiu (Fletcher HT), Winnall (Rhodes 60). Substitutes: Wildsmith, Odubajo, Pelupessy, Lee.

Hull: Long; Pennington, Burke, de Wijs, Lichaj; Batty, Honeyman (Da Silva Lopes 72), Irvine; Bowen, Eaves (Bowler 80), Grosicki (Lewis-Potter 79). Substitutes: Ingram, Tafazolli, McKenzie, Fleming.

Attendance: 24,842

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)