Newcastle United vs Sheffield Wednesday. Sky Bet Championship.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,179.
Tuesday 27 December 2016 00:03, UK
Glenn Loovens scored the only goal as Sheffield Wednesday stunned Sky Bet Championship leaders Newcastle with a 1-0 away win.
Loovens' first-ever goal for Wednesday in the 53rd minute was enough to secure all three points for the visitors at St James' Park on Boxing Day as Newcastle struggled to make more of their high possession throughout.
Dwight Gayle, who has 17 Championship goals this season, hit the post in the first half but it was Wednesday who had the game's best chances, with Karl Darlow superbly preventing Fernando Forestieri from scoring on his return to the side.
Steven Fletcher also saw chances stopped by the Newcastle goalkeeper, but the away side's advantage was enough to see them secure a four-point cushion in the last play-off spot. The result means Brighton can return to the summit if they win at home to QPR on Tuesday, in a game being shown live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12pm.
Jack Colback returned to Newcastle's starting line-up after an eye problem as Jonjo Shelvey began his five-match ban for violent conduct, while Forestieri went straight back into the Wednesday side after serving a three-match suspension for his red card against Burton Albion.
But it was the league's most potent striker, Gayle, who threatened inside 12 minutes, forcing Keiren Westwood into a sharp save onto the post after a left-footed shot from the Newcastle forward.
Gayle teamed up with his own goalkeeper Darlow to stop the second of two clear-cut chances for Wednesday inside two minutes midway through the first half.
Darlow tipped Fletcher's firm strike over the bar in the 24th minute before combining with Gayle to clear the ball off the line to stop Forestieri's close-range header.
Liam Palmer then found himself through on goal in the 27th minute, only to sky his shot well over the bar as Wednesday claimed the half's main chances, despite Newcastle's control of possession.
Just four minutes after the break, Darlow was again called into action to stop Fletcher from point-blank range after Barry Bannan's inch-perfect cross.
But it was in the 53rd minute that Darlow was finally beaten. The goalkeeper denied Tom Lees' header from a Wednesday corner brilliantly but Forestieri's rebound was diverted in by Loovens to put the away team in front.
Westwood did well to turn substitute Christian Atsu's fierce strike over the bar late on as Newcastle went in search of an equaliser, and Wednesday's defence held out to secure their third straight win.
Newcastle are back in action on Friday evening when they host Nottingham Forest, while Wednesday travel to Preston on New Year's Eve.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "We didn't handle the pressure well. You always have to be disappointed when you lose, especially in a game like this when you're at the top against a good side.
"We had about three good chances before they scored their goal and we just didn't take our chances."
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal: "We played absolutely fantastic. We kept the ball well and were a threat to Newcastle's goal all the time.
"We created clear chances to score, my players were fantastic and deserve the three points. I said before the game we are Sheffield Wednesday, we have a brand and we always fight for the three points.
"Newcastle's best player was their goalkeeper. He made three or four fantastic saves."
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