Match ends, Sheffield Wednesday 0, Nottingham Forest 1.
Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday0Nottm ForestNottingham Forest1
Nottingham Forest ensured they will start the international break at the summit of the Championship after eking out a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
A first-half Henri Lansbury header gave Stuart Pearce's unbeaten side a lead that they would never relinquish at Hillsborough and ensured a sixth victory in seven games this season.
Wednesday dominated the second half but were unable to force an equaliser.
Atdhe Nuhiu had a late effort saved by Karl Darlow and then hit a post.
It was the hosts' first defeat of the campaign and their failure to reap anything will frustrate Owls manager Stuart Gray given his side enjoyed plenty of possession and several decent openings.
They might have scored twice in the opening three minutes, only for Liam Palmer to try and square for Stevie May rather than shoot himself after breaking clear and Tom Lees to roll a tame effort at Darlow after finding space.
The goalkeeper was more exercised in thwarting ferocious drives by May, Jacques Maghoma and Chris Maguire but, for all the custodian's competence, the hosts' finishing lacked the conviction shown by their visitors.
Forest had fewer openings but took one of the few that came their way in the 37th minute.
Michail Antonio wriggled into space and lifted the ball into the box, where Lansbury had ghosted in unattended to nudge a free header past Keiren Westwood.
Wednesday dominated thereafter but were unable to find an equaliser.
Nuhiu forced an injury-time save from Darlow then, from the consequent corner, struck an upright.
But Forest hung on to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray:
"It shows how far we have came as a team, to be sat here disappointed, to feel we should have got a point and maybe even could have won.
"We dominated the second half and we just couldn't get a break. Their goalkeeper was probably man of the match, that tells you something.
"You could see the effort and commitment. I said to the boys that's the standard, they can't drop from that."
Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce:
"I'm pleased how we stand, but my message is we have to improve. There are four or five areas of the game we can get better at and the players realise that.
"The more demands I put on the players and the more they put on themselves, the more we will improve.
"There hasn't been one game where I have been entirely satisfied. Maybe I have set my standards too high, but I don't think I have."
Line-ups
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Westwood
- 8PalmerBooked at 53mins
- 15Lees
- 5LoovensBooked at 31mins
- 3MattockBooked at 34minsSubstituted forHopeat 85'minutes
- 10MaguireSubstituted forHelanat 79'minutes
- 6SemedoBooked at 21minsSubstituted forMadineat 64'minutes
- 14Coke
- 19MaghomaBooked at 90mins
- 7May
- 9Nuhiu
Substitutes
- 16McCabe
- 17Helan
- 18Zayatte
- 21Corry
- 24Madine
- 28Hope
- 43Kirkland
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Darlow
- 17Hunt
- 25HobbsSubstituted forLascellesat 73'minutes
- 4Mancienne
- 2Lichaj
- 27BurkeBooked at 90mins
- 8Cohen
- 11Reid
- 18AntonioBooked at 29minsSubstituted forFryattat 79'minutes
- 10LansburySubstituted forTescheat 68'minutes
- 9AssombalongaBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 7Fryatt
- 13Fox
- 14Veldwijk
- 16Lascelles
- 29de Vries
- 32Tesche
- 38Osborn
- Referee:
- Graham Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 20,656
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff WedAway TeamNottm Forest
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away5
- Corners
- Home5
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield Wednesday 0, Nottingham Forest 1.
Booking
Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Tom Lees (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Glenn Loovens (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacques Maghoma with a cross.
Post update
Attempt saved. Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Giles Coke.
Post update
Attempt missed. Giles Coke (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Karl Darlow.
Post update
Attempt saved. Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jacques Maghoma.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Hallam Hope (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeremy Helan.
Booking
Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Hallam Hope (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Jeremy Helan.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Hallam Hope replaces Joe Mattock.
Post update
Attempt missed. Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Andy Reid with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Giles Coke (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Hand ball by Chris Cohen (Nottingham Forest).
