Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Leeds United: Visitors move second and end Owls’ winning run

Leeds United moved up to second in the Championship as they ended Sheffield Wednesday’s four-game winning run with an assured Yorkshire derby victory at Hillsborough.

The Owls defence was caught out again for Leeds’ second as Wilfried Gnonto fired in from a swift Leeds attacking move.

It was a difficult night for Wednesday, who offered little in response after Bamford’s opener, as they could not continue their fine recent form to move out of the drop zone.

Victory for Leeds means they leapfrog Ipswich Town into second place, as they go a point above the Tractor Boys – who go to Cardiff on Saturday.

For the hosts, however, their winning run came to an end and they remain in 23rd position, level on points with Stoke and Huddersfield in a crowded battle for Championship survival.

Wednesday had looked likely to take the lead early on when Marvin Johnson’s corner eventually found Anthony Musaba, who would have tapped in were it not for a stunning save from Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.

Georginio Rutter twice came close to hitting back for Leeds, first when he tried to lob Wednesday keeper James Beadle and again as he glanced an effort on to the top of the net.

Four minutes of time were added on to the first half after a break in play, when Joe Rodon and Firpo collided, but the additional time benefitted Leeds as Bamford prospered from Akin Famewo failing to pick him up to score his seventh goal in 10 league games in 2024.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Leeds doubled their advantage after Meslier launched a free-kick upfield, with Rutter eventually sending Gnonto through to finish with ease.

The visitors should have further padded their lead right from the restart as Crysencio Summerville forced a quickfire save from Beadle, but they held on for a resolute victory against their Yorkshire rivals.