Match ends, Middlesbrough 2, Sheffield Wednesday 3.
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough2Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday3
Sheffield Wednesday extended their unbeaten Championship start to four matches with a narrow win against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
The Owls cruised into a 3-0 lead before the home side fought back in the last 20 minutes to set up a nervy finish.
Atdhe Nuhiu bundled in the opener from a corner, then new signing Stevie May clipped in his first goal for the club.
Nuhiu headed in a third after the break before Boro's Grant Leadbitter reduced the gap with two penalties.
| Rare Owls win on Teesside |
|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday won at Middlesbrough for the first time since a 2-0 victory in the old Division Two on New Year's Day 1991. |
But there was little time for the home side to push for a leveller as the Owls held on to move into the top six.
Stuart Gray's side have made a solid start, winning two and drawing two, despite the ongoing uncertainty of Azerbaijani businessman Hafiz Mammadov's takeover lingering in the background.
Defeat means Middlesbrough, under the guidance of former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka, continue their mixed start to the league season.
Boro were among the pre-season favourites for promotion, but have won and lost alternately in their opening four matches.
Wednesday took the lead after some dreadful defending from the hosts.
After Boro goalkeeper Tomas Mejias failed to deal with Jacques Maghoma's corner, the home defence could not clear, allowing Nuhiu to fire in with the help of a deflection.
Wednesday doubled their advantage when Scotland Under-21 forward May, who recently signed from St Johnstone, looped a delightful volley over Mejias with the outside of his boot.
Nuhiu used his head to glance Jacques Maghoma's vicious delivery past the Spanish keeper for the third, prompting some home fans to head for the exit.
Karanka's men were given a lifeline when Leadbitter converted after Owls defender Glenn Loovens brought down striker Kike.
The midfielder made no mistake again from the spot when Tom Lees handled, but Wednesday held on to the delight of almost 2,000 travelling fans.
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Stuart Gray said: "Considering it took us so long to win last season, it is a great start.
"We scored three great goals, hit the post a couple of times and looked a very good side. I am pleased for the boys. The spirit in the camp is fantastic."
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said: "It is very difficult to explain. I prefer to keep calm now and analyse the game when I arrive home.
"I don't know if some of my players think they are untouchable but it is disappointing the way some played."
Line-ups
Middlesbrough
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 40Mejias
- 2DamiáBooked at 45minsSubstituted forClaytonat 45'minutes
- 22Omeruo
- 4AyalaBooked at 86mins
- 3Friend
- 18Whitehead
- 7LeadbitterBooked at 41mins
- 27Adomah
- 10TomlinSubstituted forWilliamsat 66'minutes
- 20Reach
- 9Kike
Substitutes
- 8Clayton
- 13Konstantopoulos
- 14Williams
- 15Hines
- 17Husband
- 24Nsue
- 30Fewster
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Westwood
- 8Palmer
- 15Lees
- 5LoovensBooked at 90mins
- 3Mattock
- 10MaguireBooked at 36mins
- 14Coke
- 6SemedoBooked at 81mins
- 19MaghomaSubstituted forMcCabeat 89'minutes
- 9NuhiuSubstituted forMadineat 71'minutes
- 7MaySubstituted forHelanat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 16McCabe
- 17Helan
- 18Zayatte
- 21Corry
- 22Floro
- 24Madine
- 43Kirkland
- Referee:
- Phil Dowd
- Attendance:
- 17,820
Match Stats
Home TeamMiddlesbroughAway TeamSheff Wed
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 2, Sheffield Wednesday 3.
Post update
Foul by Kike (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Tom Lees (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Middlesbrough 2, Sheffield Wednesday 3. Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
Booking
Glenn Loovens (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Glenn Loovens (Sheffield Wednesday) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Reach with a cross.
Post update
Offside, Middlesbrough. George Friend tries a through ball, but Kike is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Rhys McCabe replaces Jacques Maghoma.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dean Whitehead.
Booking
Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Jeremy Helan (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Dean Whitehead (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jacques Maghoma (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Attempt saved. Luke Williams (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.
Post update
George Friend (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Gary Madine (Sheffield Wednesday).
