Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Plymouth Argyle: Owls go top of League One
- Published
- comments
Callum Paterson's early goal proved to be decisive
Sheffield Wednesday moved to the top of League One after beating leaders Plymouth Argyle 1-0 at Hillsborough.
Callum Paterson put the Owls into an early lead as he swivelled and fired in Will Vaulks' cross at the near post as the hosts impressed before the break.
Both sides traded chances in a tense second period, where at times it felt as though it could boil over.
Wednesday had a second goal controversially ruled out for offside - George Byers' shot found the back of the net but the assistant raised his flag after a team-mate jumped over the goalbound effort while in an offside position.
The win sees the Yorkshire side draw level with the Pilgrims on 61 points, but they go top because of their better goal difference and have a game in hand.
More than 33,000 were in attendance at Hillsborough and Paterson's early goal sent the majority of the crowd into raptures.
They almost had more to cheer eight minutes later but Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper superbly pushed Aden Flint's point-blank shot on to the post after Vaulks volleyed a corner back across goal.
Argyle have concerns over highly rated goalkeeper Cooper - the 23-year-old has been an ever-present in the league this season
Argyle's cause was not helped by two early injuries - Dan Scarr forced off with a foot injury shortly before Cooper's save, while the highly rated keeper had to leave the field after a 30th-minute clash with Josh Windass.
The Pilgrims made two changes at half-time, with strikers Ryan Hardie and Sam Cosgrove coming on, while Paterson had to limp off for the Owls 12 minutes after the break.
The game became more edgy with some pushing and shoving between the two sides as James Wilson headed a free-kick wide for the Pilgrims, while Hardie blasted an effort over the bar midway through the half.
More chances came as both sides tired - Marvin Johnson hit a volley over for the Owls while Bali Mumba shot narrowly wide after cutting in from the right with 20 minutes left.
Despite 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time Wednesday controlled the game and Argyle could not fashion an equaliser as they missed out on a club record 13th away match without defeat.
Do more expensive AA batteries last longer? Sliced Bread is charged up to find out
Why has Bad Education made a comeback? Jack Whitehall tells all about the cult sitcom
