Bristol City 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday: Connor Wickham & Massimo Luongo give Owls win
- Published
Massimo Luongo scored his first goal since October to help Sheffield Wednesday to victory
Bristol City's fading Championship play-off hopes were dealt another blow as Sheffield Wednesday recorded a deserved victory at Ashton Gate.
Connor Wickham headed the Owls in front after 13 minutes, directing Jacob Murphy's near-post corner past goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa when completely unmarked.
Wednesday doubled their advantage from another set-piece on the hour mark, with Massimo Luongo this time hooking a shot in from close range.
The hosts, who rarely threatened after Nathan Baker had been denied by a brilliant point-blank save from Joe Wildsmith early in the game, did reduce the deficit through Nahki Wells' header.
But, despite having 22 minutes to find an equaliser, the Owls were comfortable in seeing the game out to open up a 10-point gap on the bottom three.
Bristol City, meanwhile, are five points off the top six having lost both games since the season resumed on Saturday, 20 June.
This defeat also extended their winless run to seven matches, with the seven changes made by head coach Lee Johnson for the visit of Wednesday appearing to have little impact on both the performance and result.
The one bright spot for Johnson was the return of on-loan Stoke City striker Benik Afobe, who started for the first time since August following a serious knee injury.
The 27-year-old former Wolves forward lasted 63 minutes on his comeback and showed some nice touches, but at times also cut a frustrated figure having been asked to play out wide.
Play-offs now beyond Bristol City?
Bristol City have only won two of the nine games Nahki Wells has featured in since his January arrival
When the two teams met at Hillsborough in December - a game Wednesday also won - both sides looked primed for a serious play-off challenge, that victory lifting the Owls up to third.
But they have each faded badly since then and the result at Ashton Gate leaves them in 12th and 13th, with a mid-table finish now looking the most likely outcome.
City have lost six of their past nine matches, failing to keep a clean sheet in that time and also struggling for creativity.
Despite now having Wells, Afobe and top goalscorer Famara Diedhiou to call upon, it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous throughout.
Recalled keeper Maenpaa twice had to make good saves after the break, including a fine one-handed stop to deny Murphy, while Wickham dragged an effort wide when he should have made it 3-0.
If the Robins are to muster an improbable late charge for the play-offs they will almost certainly have to win their next two games - against fellow top-six hopefuls Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson:
"It's so disappointing because I felt our performance was an improvement and that we deserved something from the game.
"To concede twice like that from set-pieces was unforgiveable. You can't hope to win games at this level if defenders don't do their jobs.
"I still believe we can go to Nottingham Forest and win our next game, but not if we defend like that."
Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk:
"The players deserve huge credit because they have come back from the enforced break with a fresh attitude and mentality.
"It is only a couple of steps forward, but I have been really pleased with the last couple of games.
"No one is getting carried away because there is a lot of work still to do. But the signs are good that the players are taking on board what we want from them."