Match ends, Preston North End 1, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
PrestonPreston North End1Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday0
Preston moved into the Championship's top 10 after Joe Garner's goal saw them beat 10-man Sheffield Wednesday.
Striker Garner powerfully headed Calum Woods' cross past Keiren Westwood for his fourth goal of the season - and his first since December.
Six minutes before that, Wednesday's top-scorer Fernando Forestieri was sent off for a second yellow card.
The Italian was booked for a dive early in the second half before being penalised for a deliberate handball.
The loss was Wednesday's first in the league since 28 December and they dropped to sixth in the table, six points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
Garner's aerial prowess caused Wednesday problems throughout the match and he forced Westwood into a fine save midway through the first half and had a decent appeal for a penalty turned down soon after the break when he appeared to be pushed in the back
Daniel Pudil missed a good chance to give Wednesday the lead after an hour when he shot over from close range, while Tom Clarke's last-ditch tackle denied Lucas Joao from close range as the Owls searched for a late equaliser.
Preston boss Simon Grayson:
"We're delighted, we knew it would be a tough test for us.
"We challenged the players to get a win to kick off this week with three games. Every single one of them carried out the plan we've worked on all week.
"When we had to defend we defended and we limited a top team to not having a shot on target."
Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal:
"The first yellow card is unbelievable because it was a clear foul to us and he gives a yellow to Fernando. If he doesn't go down he will be in front of goal in the area with a very clear chance to score. For me he didn't dive in that moment because if he did it was not a good choice. He blocked him.
"I am happy with the attitude of our players, they tried to win the game, but we are unhappy with the score of course.
"The fans were amazing again, the game was balanced, we both created chances and in the second half we looked as though we would score but the red card changed the game. Even with 10 players we took risks and the players fought until the last second to try and win the game."
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Line-ups
Preston
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Lindegaard
- 5Clarke
- 23Huntington
- 6WrightBooked at 57mins
- 15WoodsBooked at 42mins
- 16Browne
- 11Johnson
- 12GallagherSubstituted forPearsonat 88'minutes
- 3CunninghamBooked at 59mins
- 32Reach
- 14GarnerSubstituted forHugillat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Pearson
- 8Kilkenny
- 13Doyle
- 19Welsh
- 25Hugill
- 37Robinson
- 43Kirkland
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Westwood
- 32HuntSubstituted forMatiasat 85'minutes
- 15Lees
- 23Sasso
- 36PudilBooked at 90mins
- 33Wallace
- 20LeeSubstituted forMcGuganat 77'minutes
- 41BannanBooked at 30mins
- 45ForestieriBooked at 66mins
- 14Hooper
- 9NuhiuSubstituted forLucas Joãoat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Turner
- 7Matias
- 10McGugan
- 12Bennett
- 18Lucas João
- 21López
- 34Price
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 16,923
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamSheff Wed
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away0
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 1, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
Booking
Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Attempt missed. Ben Pearson (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Daniel Johnson.
Post update
Jordan Hugill (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday).
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Jordan Hugill replaces Joe Garner.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Ben Pearson replaces Paul Gallagher.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Paul Huntington.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Marco Matias replaces Jack Hunt.
Post update
Attempt missed. Adam Reach (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Joe Garner.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lucas João (Sheffield Wednesday) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Pudil with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Tom Clarke (Preston North End).
Post update
Lucas João (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Joe Garner (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Lewis McGugan (Sheffield Wednesday).
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Lewis McGugan replaces Kieran Lee.
Post update
Foul by Paul Huntington (Preston North End).
