Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough. Sky Bet Championship.
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Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough at Hillsborough both remain winless after Darragh Lenihan earned Boro a point on Tuesday night.
Wednesday 20 September 2023 09:59, UK
Darragh Lenihan’s second-half goal cancelled out Anthony Musaba’s opener as Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough at Hillsborough on Tuesday night.
It was 23rd against 24th in South Yorkshire and both sides were without a win in any of their first six matches in the Championship this season.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz made six changes to the team that lost 1-0 at home to Ipswich, with Bambo Diaby, Di'Shon Bernard, Pol Valentin, Barry Bannan, John Buckley and Ashley Fletcher joining the starting XI.
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick made four switches from the 2-1 defeat away to Blackburn, with Lukas Engel, Riley McGree, Samuel Silvera and Josh Coburn coming in.
Wednesday had the first chance early on when Valentin shot from distance but Fletcher could only deflect it wide.
Play was stopped after 15 minutes when tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch by a handful of home fans protesting chairman Dejphon Chansiri's running of the club.
Middlesbrough's first opening came when Coburn cut back for Silvera, who would have put the visitors ahead if not for Akin Famewo's block.
Josh Windass was forced off with an injury half an hour in and it was his replacement who gave the Owls the advantage in the 38th minute.
Bernard made a bursting run from the back, played a one-two with Valentin and squared the ball to Musaba who put the ball through the legs of keeper Seny Dieng.
Valentin was proving to be the biggest threat on Wednesday's right and Fletcher nearly converted his low cross from the last chance of the half.
It was a completely different story in the second half which was dominated by Middlesbrough. Silvera had a shot from range saved by Devis Vasquez but it wasn't long before his side got the equaliser.
Lenihan met Lewis O'Brien's corner and the ball cannoned off the bar and just sneaked over the line to give Boro the leveller after 53 minutes.
Matt Crooks thought he had given the away side the lead moments later but his header was flagged for offside. Coburn then powered an effort inches wide after he shrugged off defender Diaby.
Middlesbrough continued to have the bulk of possession but could not make it count and nearly lived to regret it. The ball fell to George Byers on the edge of the box but the Owls substitute curled his effort wide of the mark.
The draw was of little benefit to either of the sides, with Boro remaining rooted to the foot of the table and the Owls still just one place above them.
Sheffield Wednesday's Xisco Munoz:
"One of the problems we had in the last game was not finding solutions, but we did that today. We gave a good performance in the first half.
"We tried to change things in the second half and build on the positives. We can't change everything in only a few days. For me, it's important to try and give better things like in the first half.
"We're trying to find the balance. The first half was at a good level but in the Championship you can't have control for 90 minutes. It became a totally different game in the second half.
"I think the fans enjoyed the first half. You could hear it and this is what I want. We need to enjoy when we play at home. I understand if some people don't like my style.
"My focus is on the future. I know what I can improve in this team and most importantly I believe in these guys."
Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick:
"It was a game of two halves. I think in the first half we were second guessing things and we lacked that belief and confidence.
"We wanted three points but sometimes that can turn to desperation and that can be dangerous. It can make things tense and I think we tensed up a bit in the first half, we were almost over trying.
"We showed what we were capable of in the second half and it was really encouraging for the players, I'm proud of them. Being behind at half-time is a difficult place to be.
"Going behind kick-started us; it gave us the freedom of expression to chase the game down. In terms of reaction, character and personality I never doubted them."
