Sheffield Wed. 0 - 2 Leeds United: Leeds sink Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough

Posted Saturday, August 20, 2016 by PA

Second-half goals from Marcus Antonsson and Chris Wood gave Leeds a 2-0 victory over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Antonsson headed the opener shortly after the hour mark and Wood's late goal clinched Garry Monk's first league win as Leeds manager.

But Wednesday striker Fernando Forestieri, back in the team after controversially refusing to play at Norwich last week amid transfer speculation, will rue two missed chances in quick succession in the first half.

Forestieri and Steven Fletcher linked up well in the Wednesday attack as the sides exchanged blows in the early stages. Forestieri's driven shot from outside the area bounced wide within 10 minutes and he then missed two one-on-one chances within a minute to put the Owls ahead early on.

He was first put through by a lucky deflection off Leeds defender Chris Taylor, but rolled his shot just wide of the right-hand upright.

Moments later, Forestieri went clear again but Leeds captain Liam Cooper was able to get back and head his effort off the line after the forward had rounded goalkeeper Rob Green.

Leeds had to absorb plenty of first-half pressure but the pace of Hadi Sacko, one of Monk's 10 new signings this summer, was a thorn in Wednesday's side all afternoon on the break. His cross was chested down by Wood late on in the half, but the strike was blocked well in the box by full-back Jack Hunt.

Moments later, a curled Almen Abdi free-kick from 25 yards out bounced off the top of the Leeds bar with Green flailing, but the sides went into the break level.

Wednesday began the second half well through the skilful link-up play of Barry Bannan and Forestieri, who was now in a left-wing role after Gary Hooper replaced Abdi.

However, it was Leeds who provided the game's first goal in the 63rd minute, again catching Wednesday on the break. Sacko carried the ball forward and into the box before a clever one-two with right-back Luke Ayling allowed him to float a cross to new signing Antonsson, who headed into an empty net.

The goal was exactly what was needed to open the game up, as Bannan took hold of the ball and encouraged his side to take the game to the visitors.

The Owls' high pressure would be their downfall, however, as gaps were left in behind for another fantastic breakaway run down the right by Sacko five minutes from time. The ball made its way to the lively ex-Oxford man Kemar Roofe on the left and he crossed low to Wood, who slotted home his second goal in as many games.