Graham galvanises Owls
By Mark Kendall. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Sheffield Wednesday fought back from a goal down to claim only their fourth victory of the season against Derby at Hillsborough.
Things looked bleak for The Owls when Marcus Tudgay deservedly edged the visitors ahead on 42 minutes, but second-half strikes from Chris Brunt and David Graham ensured Wednesday claimed the spoils.
Derby were comfortably the better side in the first period and should have gone in more than one ahead.
On-loan striker Dexter Blackstock hit a post early on and the same player forced another loanee, Wednesday's Nicky Weaver, into a fine stop shortly afterwards.
Tudgay then spurned two decent headed chances, but made amends three minutes before the break when he nodded home Peter Whittingham's cross.
Derby still appeared to hold the upper hand in the second period, but the introduction of Graham around the hour mark finally handed the hosts the attacking impetus they needed.
On 69 minutes Lee Peacock whipped over a cross that Brunt cleverly steered home to restore parity.
The goal clearly buoyed Paul Sturrock's men and they moved ahead just five minutes later when Graham pounced on a loose ball in the area to blast home.
Derby could not respond and Wednesday held on comfortably for a much-needed victory.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
David Graham
Marcus Tudgay
Chris Brunt
