Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Leeds United: Visitors move second and end Owls' winning run
- Published
- comments
Patrick Bamford has now scored seven goals in 10 Championship games for Leeds United since the turn of the year
Leeds United moved up to second in the Championship as they ended Sheffield Wednesday's four-game winning run with an assured Yorkshire derby victory at Hillsborough.
Patrick Bamford put the visitors ahead on the verge of half-time as he tapped in at the far post from Junior Firpo's fine left-wing delivery.
The Owls defence was caught out again for Leeds' second as Wilfried Gnonto fired in following a swift Leeds attacking move.
It was a difficult night for second-bottom Wednesday, who offered little in response after Bamford's opener, as they could not continue their fine recent form to move out of the drop zone.
Victory for Leeds means they leapfrog Ipswich Town into second place, going a point above the Tractor Boys - who face Cardiff on Saturday - and two behind leaders Leicester.
For the hosts, however, their winning run came to an abrupt end and they remain in 23rd position, level on points with Stoke and Huddersfield in a crowded battle for Championship survival.
Wednesday almost took the lead in the 16th minute when Marvin Johnson's corner fell to Djeidi Gassama, whose close-range finish was kept out by a stunning block from Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.
Georginio Rutter twice came close for the visitors, first when he tried to lob Wednesday keeper James Beadle and then glanced an effort on to the top of the net.
Four minutes of time were added on to the first half after a break in play, when Joe Rodon and Firpo collided, but the additional time benefitted Leeds.
Bamford prospered with his seventh goal in 10 league games in 2024 as Owls defender Akin Famewo failed to pick him up when Firpo delivered a delicious ball into the box.
Leeds doubled their advantage in the 58th minute after Meslier launched a free-kick upfield, with Rutter eventually sending Gnonto through to finish with ease.
Daniel Farke's side should have further added to their lead from the restart as Crysencio Summerville went clear and forced a solid save from Beadle.
But they held on for a resolute victory against their Yorkshire rivals - their 11th in 12 league games.
Owls boss Danny Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I think we showed a big fight - to take something from just an opponent like this you have to defend really well, and in these two conceded goals we didn't.
"The key moment, the first goal before half-time, was a bit of a knock, especially emotionally.
"This is football - we have to take it, we have to learn from our mistakes. We had some good moments.
"I think we showed that we have weapons - all in all a bit disappointed, but we have to keep going and we showed this in the last weeks."
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
"It was a well-deserved win. It was a controlled performance. You could feel that they were on a good run, they played with confidence.
"They're always dangerous on the counter-attack and set-pieces but we had so much control over the game, especially in the first half.
"Perhaps in the first half we allowed them to have a few too many corners. That's the only point I can criticise.
"It was a great cross from Junior Firpo and a perfect strike from Patrick Bamford. In the second half we were very much in control and scored the second goal. We should have perhaps scored a third.
"They didn't really have one chance and it was a very controlled performance, especially keeping in mind it was our fourth game in 10 days."