Celebrations for Sheffield Wednesday after Sam Winnall's (right) goal at Huddersfield
Celebrations for Sheffield Wednesday after Sam Winnall's (right) goal at Huddersfield

Huddersfield Town 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday: Garry Monk gets first win as Owls boss


Garry Monk won the battle of the new two new Yorkshire managers as Sheffield Wednesday beat Huddersfield 2-0 in a hard-fought derby clash at the John Smith's Stadium.

Steven Fletcher's 10th-minute header and a rare goal from substitute Sam Winnall proved the difference between the two sides as Monk celebrated his first game in charge in style.

But it was disappointment for new Terriers manager Danny Cowley who, along with his brother and assistant Nicky, suffered defeat in their first outing at the Huddersfield helm.

Garry Monk arrives for his first game as Sheffield Wednesday boss
Garry Monk took charge of his first game as Sheffield Wednesday boss

Both sides created good chances, but it was Fletcher who gave the Owls the lead with his fourth goal in six games.

The 32-year-old striker timed his run to perfection to head Kadeem Harris' cross past the helpless Terriers goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.

And striker Winnall, part of our Sky Bet Championship podcast which is out fortnightly, came off the bench to score his first goal since December 2017, which came during a loan spell at Derby. It was his first Owls goal since August 2017.

The result moves Sheffield Wednesday up two places into 10th on 12 points while Huddersfield remain second from bottom with just one point and are now winless in 17 league games.

Danny Cowley arrives for his first game as Huddersfield boss
It was not a winning start for new Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley

REACTION

  • Monk saluted his battling side:

"Like any new manager you want to get off to the best possible start," Monk said.

"There's been doubts about this squad and these players for the last couple of years, for whatever reason. I don't know what's gone before, but maybe this squad haven't had enough belief to produce the quality we all know they have.

"But they've been great since I've come in. I've been really pleased with the response of the squad. I said this week was about not over-complicating things for the players. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm delighted with them.

"The team attitude towards a difficult game was very pleasing. I thought we created the better chances and I was delighted with the goals. But the most important thing was to get the three points. We deserved that. The fans were right behind us and fantastic for the team.

"Overall we had the best chances in the game, we could have scored one or two more. We know we have the quality, it's about making sure the belief is there. The players deserved a lot of credit. We kept the crowd quiet and scored our goals at good times."

  • Frustrated Cowley admitted he has a tough job on his hands to get the club firing again:

"I think today we could see that this is a football club and team which is hurting, which is what we anticipated," Cowley said.

"But we're here to help them. This club needs some grit, we need to get some fight. We didn't have enough energy, we were too slow.

"You have two choices in life, you can be a victim or a fighter. At the minute we're affected by the scoreboard, which you can understand. But we have to change that. I have to be fair to our players as we've only been here since Tuesday and some have been away on international duty.

"Sheffield Wednesday were definitely the better team. We didn't pass the ball with enough purpose. We need more pace in the game when we move the ball and if we do, that should give us more space.

"We need to build a better understanding, which will make them believe and get more confidence. We've got another week to work now, with all the group in the building, and we have a lot to do before a tough away game (at West Brom)."

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