Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Cardiff City: Karlan Grant and an Akin Famewo own goal seals late turnaround win for Bluebirds

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City at Hillsborough on Saturday | Karlan Grant and an Akin Famewo own goal seals late turnaround win for Bluebirds.

Saturday 23 December 2023 18:56, UK

Two Akin Famewo own goals in the second half gave Cardiff a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon.

The home side had taken the lead through Anthony Musaba and had the lion's share of chances but two unfortunate moments for Famewo ensured the away side claimed victory.

The win sees Cardiff climb to 10th in the Championship table whilst Wednesday remain in the relegation zone and six points from safety.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl made two changes to the team from the dramatic 2-1 win over QPR, with Liam Palmer and George Byers coming in.

Cardiff boss Erol Bulut made three switches to the side that lost 3-0 at Hull, with Joe Ralls, Callum Robinson and Josh Bowler joining the starting XI.

It was a first half of few clear-cut chances. Wednesday had the first opening as Marvin Johnson's cross found Bailey Cadamarteri but team-mate Anthony Musaba got in the way of his effort.

The home side took the lead in the 28th minute with a brilliantly worked goal. Johnson found Musaba, who skilfully beat his man before crashing the ball past Jak Alnwick to give the Dutchman his third goal in four Championship games.

In the first chance of the second half, Will Vaulks whipped in a free-kick from the right but Cadamarteri's volley was comfortably saved.

Callum Paterson then cut the ball back to Byers but the midfielder saw his effort blocked.

Skipper Barry Bannan drove through the middle of the park and played in Johnson but Alnwick got down well to deny him.

Wednesday would come to regret not making their dominance count as Cardiff got an equaliser out of nowhere in the 74th minute. Karlan Grant's driven ball across the box took a wicked deflection off Famewo and crept into the bottom corner to level proceedings.

The Owls looked to regain the advantage as Bannan played through Cadamarteri but Alnwick was there once more to thwart the striker.

Incredibly, Cardiff turned the game around and went ahead in the 88th minute. Cameron Dawson spilled a tame effort and lightning struck twice for Famewo as whilst trying to clear the danger, he could only turn into his own net once more.

Wednesday had a couple of late penalty shouts but saw them turned down by referee Sam Barrott and the Bluebirds held on to claim all three points.

The managers

Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl:

This is a hard one to take today, everyone is really disappointed. Last week we scored two late goals and this week it has happened to us.

"We needed the second goal today but just couldn't get the final touch we needed.

"This was an unnecessary defeat; I think we controlled the game really well. For me, the performance was good but in the end it's about the result.

"In the first half we were moving the ball well and we scored a fantastic goal. Anthony is gaining more and more confidence every week and I'm really pleased for him.

"Cardiff were lucky and we were unlucky with the own goals today. In the second half they had two moments and scored two goals but these things can happen."

Cardiff's Erol Bulut:

"Karlan has such a high work rate and is one of the best players we have in the team. I'm pleased for him and his involvement in the first goal, which was vital for us.

"In the Championship you can play nice football but you have to run a lot and fight a lot. We've had a lot of games like that and today was another one of them.

"We struggled in the first half but we showed determination and we managed to stay in the game at 1-0. The second half was much better and I think we deserved the three points in the end.

"We had a meeting with the team in the week and I will keep what was said between me and the players but it was positive. We are always looking to move forward."