Huddersfield Town 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1: Fernando Forestieri rediscovers zest to seal derby triumph

CARLOS CARVALHAL hailed the telling contribution of Sheffield Wednesday derby hero Fernando Forestieri '“ who answered his manager's pre-match call to find a way of igniting his season by firing the winner against Huddersfield Town.

The Owls striker scored a decisive second-half goal at Huddersfield for the second season running, netting from the spot after Rajiv Van La Parra was penalised for handball, ending Town’s 100 per cent home record.

It represented a missed opportunity for David Wagner’s side, who could have reclaimed top spot and moved two points clear at the Championship summit with a victory.

But after derby wins over Rotherham United, Barnsley and Leeds United already this term, Huddersfield were denied another by a professional Wednesday side, whose win moved them up to seventh place in front of record league crowd of 22,368 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

While the Owls produced an accomplished team performance, the main plaudits were reserved for Forestieri, who had been challenged – along with fellow striker Gary Hooper – by Carvalhal to change his mental approach after a subdued start to a season.

Back in August, Forestieri was in the spotlight after refusing to travel to the game at Norwich City after claiming his “mind was not in the right place” after being linked with moves elsewhere.

Forestieri subsequently reaffirmed his commitment to the Owls, but had failed to reach the heights of the outstanding form he displayed last season – until yesterday’s keynote performance.