Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Bournemouth: Barry Bannan gives Owls win over 10-man Cherries
- Published
Steve Cook was sent off for fouling Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass in the area
Struggling Sheffield Wednesday picked up a vital win to end Bournemouth's unbeaten start to the season in a game that saw both teams finish with 10 men.
Barry Bannan won it from the penalty spot after Steve Cook was sent off for taking down Josh Windass in the area after he had rounded goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
The victory ended Wednesday's four-match losing streak and moved them up to -1 points after starting the season with a 12-point deduction.
Both teams had chances to open the scoring before Bannan's penalty, with David Brooks seeing an effort cleared off the line for the Cherries and Elias Kachunga and Liam Palmer going close for the Owls.
Wednesday had to see out the final moments of stoppage time with 10 men as well, after Kadeem Harris was sent off for a poor challenge on Jefferson Lerma.
Garry Monk's men were in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom after Saturday's defeat at Wycombe, but they are now seven points behind 20th-placed Nottingham Forest, albeit having played a game more.
Bannan's penalty was Wednesday's first goal in four games and saw them win at Hillsborough for the first time since February - and just the second time this year.
Bournemouth were the last remaining unbeaten side in the English Football League this season but they struggled to create clear chances and Julian Borner did brilliantly to block Brooks' effort shortly after the break.
Jason Tindall's men travel to Birmingham City on Saturday, while Wednesday will look to climb into positive figures when they host Millwall on the same day.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I'm happy for all the players, happy for the staff and our fans for three points today. We've had a really disappointing last three games.
"But when doubt gets thrown at you, you need to show your character and your fight. And I thought tonight we were excellent.
"We were everything that we're trying to be, and to deliver that against Bournemouth is not an easy task. Not just the points but the performance tonight was a huge marker."
Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall told BBC Radio Solent:
"It's really disappointing, obviously we've come here to win the game. I felt there was one team fighting for their lives tonight and it showed and I think there was another team who showed up and thought their ability would be enough to win, and that's the lesson we've got to learn from today.
"Fair play to Sheffield Wednesday, they had their plan. Whether it caught us a little bit by surprise or not, we've got to give them credit tonight.
"We like to think that we've got players who'll score goals and create chances. Tonight we didn't do that. We were certainly way below our standards."
On the penalty decision and red card: "It was a very soft decision. It was the one moment that decided the game. It made the difference tonight."