Sheffield Wednesday defeated neighbors Rotherham 1-0 to earn a crucial victory in their attempt to avoid relegation in the Championship.
The Owls were three points from safety when Ike Ugbo’s sixth goal in five games proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Rotherham is 19 points below safety at the bottom after losing.
After dominating the first half, Wednesday had plenty of opportunities to end the game, but they had to play tough defense to cling onto the three points after they did not take the lead until after the hour had passed.
Viktor Johansson had to make a save early on after Ian Poveda rolled the ball into Liam Palmer, who palmed away the attempt after he had skipped by Shane Ferguson.
Anthony Musaba had cut in menacingly from the left flank, and Cameron Humphreys had to make a huge stop to save Ugbo from scoring.
Next, Will Vaulks nearly caught Johansson off guard with a free kick that he shaped to cross before attempting a low shot. The international from Sweden managed to barely make it across, tipping it wide.
Vaulks’ free kick was headed by Akin Famewo, who appeared to have put Wednesday ahead, but it was flagged out for offside.
Then Poveda cut in from the right wing, sending a strong shot that went just wide of the far post.
Prior to halftime, Wednesday was still in control, as Musaba’s attempt struck the roof of the net after Poveda had slipped him in.
In the second half, Rotherham came out on top and initially caused Wednesday keeper James Beadle concern when Sam Nombe attempted a long-range shot that narrowly missed the mark.
With a skillfully executed play in the 66th minute, Wednesday finally gained the lead.
After some deft passes in the box by Barry Bannan and Ugbo, the latter was there to head home Dominic Iorfa’s cross.
Rotherham threatened with a risky free-kick as Jordan Hugill got a hand on substitute Cafu’s strong attempt to deflect the ball just off target.
Then, Wednesday owed a debt of gratitude to their lucky charm Bannan, who deftly prevented Andy Rinomhota’s goal-bound attempt by stretching out a leg.
During the last moments, Marvin Johnson missed a great opportunity to double the lead with his shot.
In stoppage time, Mallik Wilks had another opportunity to end the match, but his diving header from Johnson’s cross struck the post.
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