Derby County 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday
- Published
Matej Vydra's early penalty was his seventh goal of the season
Matej Vydra's early penalty set Derby County on their way to victory over 10-man Sheffield Wednesday.
Vydra hit his seventh goal this season after being felled by Glenn Loovens, who was given a straight red card.
The Rams missed several chances to seal back-to-back wins, notably through Vydra, while Steven Fletcher missed a glorious headed chance for the Owls.
But substitute Bradley Johnson made it 2-0 late on, when he found the roof of the net from Johnny Russell's pass.
Before Johnson's neat turn and finish with four minutes left, the Rams were in danger of paying for some sloppy finishing against an Owls side who have now lost three of their past four matches.
Nugent was the key attacking figure for the hosts, who moved up to eighth in the Championship table after a five-game unbeaten run,
He teed up an early chance that Vydra volleyed over and, after another astute Nugent pass led to Vydra's spot-kick opener, the former England striker then put in Tom Lawrence. However, the Wales international's chipped effort hit the post and was then cleared.
Fletcher's downward header that bounced high and wide was the standout opportunity for Sheffield Wednesday, but they also had strong penalty claims ignored when Fletcher tangled with Craig Forsyth.
The chances continued for both side after the break but, soon after the Owls' Barry Bannan was narrowly wide with a 25-yard strike, Johnson ensured the points.
Derby County boss Gary Rowett: "I've really mixed feelings. I gave the players a piece of my mind at half-time because it was really, really sloppy.
"It can happen like that against 10 men but I wasn't happy after the game either. It was good play by us for the penalty but they also felt they could have had a penalty, it looked an obvious penalty, I'm not sure why Fletcher would go down in that position if it wasn't.
"We were better second half, marginally, but I was certainly very pleased to get the second goal. But there's a lot more to come. There's a lot to improve on in the team and I thought we would get better as the season progresses."
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal: "It [The Loovens incident] seemed like a penalty and a red card but when we have a similar situation, it makes a massive impact because it could be 1-1 and Derby will play with 10 players.
"I don't know if I'm more upset that the referee doesn't give the penalty or what he says to Fletcher because he says to Fletcher 'I saw that he push your shirt but you must stay up', which I think is bad in my opinion.
"But I know my players and after this game, with this performance and what we did by showing the heart and commitment, it makes me believe the future will be better."