3/1 To Win
Two goals in six second half minutes saw Derby County slip to a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in an end-to-end clash at Hillsborough.
In a game that the hosts needed to win in order to maintain their push to cement an end of season play-off spot, Darren Bent opened the scoring with his headed effort on 49 minutes as
Gary Rowett’s men got their rewards for swiftly getting out of the traps after half-time.
After ensuring they did not fall further behind, Wednesday, responded with two goals in six minutes as Steven Fletcher and Gary Hooper converted either side of the hour mark to claim their first win over Derby since 2006.
It took a fine save from Keiren Westwood on the cusp of full-time to ensure that was the case, as he superbly blocked Chris Baird’s volley from close range, preserving a vital three points for Carlos Carvalhal’s side.
Entering the contest on the back of a four-game winning run, there was something of a special atmosphere brewing in Sheffield as the game approached kick-off.
The Owls still have so much to play for as they look to secure a play-off finish for the second successive campaign and Derby’s task for the day was simple – put the brakes on that push.
On six minutes, Derby nearly had the perfect start as Matěj Vydra burst beyond Kieran Lee and on to the edge of the Wednesday’s 18-yard box to unleash a 25-yard shot on goal, however, it was sent wide of Westwood’s far post.
It was a wake-up call that Wednesday did not take long to respond to as they went on to control most of the first 45 minutes.
Lee was the first to register a series of Owls chances before the half hour mark and knocked on Derby’s door with a shot on the edge of the box. Like Vydra ,though, his effort was well far of the post.
The hosts’ confidence soared after that and the Rams found themselves having to soak up heavy spells of pressure.
Of all the Wednesday players, former Derby County loanee Barry Bannan was one who looked consistently dangerous inside the Rams’ half, picking up little pockets of space and spraying the ball across the pitch.
The 27-year-old was not afraid to try his luck in front of goal too, ambitiously taking on a volley from 25-yards out, only to fire it wide of Scott Carson’s post.
A lot of the Owls good work came down the flanks, but Derby’s defence was in top form as they continually thwarted Wednesday efforts to force a breakthrough, laying the foundations for them to enjoy a strong end to the half.
With 34 minutes gone, Rowett’s side should have taken the lead. Ikechi Anya reminded Wednesday of Derby’s pace going forward when he pierced his way into the box to unleash a dangerous strike, but it went straight into the side netting.
Heading into the interval level, Derby maintained their momentum and were straight out of the traps for the start of the second 45 minutes.
The visitors made the most of their bright start and just four minutes after the game’s restart, the Rams had the lead when Bent rose highest to head in Johnny Russell’s superb corner delivery at the near post.
It was an important goal and one that created a very awkward atmosphere at Hillsborough.
With an even bigger task set for Wednesday, Carvalhal’s side knew they had to come out and play and less then a minute after conceding, the hosts almost achieved instant redemption, as Fletcher cracked the crossbar after meeting Daniel Pudil’s left-wing cross.
The key moment for the Rams came shortly after that when they should have doubled their lead. Intricate play saw Will Hughes played into the box and after rounding Westwood, the 22-year-old directed a shot towards the far corner, but saw his effort cleared off the line by two retreating blue shirts.
It proved crucial and only a matter of minutes later Fletcher did grab an equaliser, powering a header beyond the stranded Carson after Hooper had knocked Ross Wallace’s deep cross into his path.
The game was back on and despite the Rams early domination, the hosts looked to take back control.
You can either pick yourselves back up and bounce-back when you concede or let your heads drop. For Wednesday, the latter was never an option and Hooper typified this when he completed the Owls’ comeback on 64 minutes.
Wallace was, once again, integral to the goal and his dangerous cross was only pushed away by Carson as far as Hooper, who finished it, first time, calmly and collectively.
Momentum was back on Wednesday’s side but they failed to create any further clear cut chances that would give them breathing space in this crucial game for them.
Their best came through Fernando Forestieri, the substitute, after he capitalised on a defensive mistake and broke at pace, but a late tackle from Anya prevented the Owls’ top goalscorer from surely sealing the points.
After failing to capitalise, the game’s action switched ends and two superb saves saw Westwood turn away successive chances from Baird and Russell.
It was an enticing ending to what had been a game full of twists and turns, but ultimately Wednesday deserved their vital victory.
Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Hunt, Loovens, Lees, Pudil, Wallace, Lee (Rhodes, 56), Bannan, Reach, Fletcher (Forestieri, 81), Hooper (Semedo, 77)
Substitutes not used: Wildsmith, McManaman, Sasso, Nuhiu
Derby County: Carson, Christie, Keogh (C), Pearce, Olsson (Baird, 10), Johnson, Hughes (Ince, 75), Vydra, Russell, Bent (Nugent, 61), Anya
Substitutes not used: Mitchell, Bryson, Butterfield, Camara
Attendance: 28,889
