Sheffield Wednesday 3 Charlton Athletic 0: Second half showing delights Owls boss Carvalhal

For 45 minutes, the Owls were frustrated by the struggling Addicks, whose pressing game and high work rate nullified Wednesday’s attacking threat.

But it was a different story after the break and goals from Tom Lees, Fernando Forestieri and an El-Hadji Ba own goal gave the Owls a comfortable win that strengthens their grip on a play-off place.

Carvalhal said: “The team for moments in the first half lacked confidence but never lost control or organisation.

“We knew Charlton couldn’t press all the time and when we had more time and space we started playing very well.

“We mixed it with the substitutions, (Atdhe) Nuhiu made a big impact and allowed Forestieri and Gary Hooper more space to play.

“When they lost energy we played better and we had a very good second half at a very good level. We deserved the win and the scoreline.

“We are the second or third best attack in the division and I am very happy about this because we promised our fans good attacking football and we are delivering it.”

It did not look like being the case in the opening 45 minutes as Wednesday toiled for the second successive match at home following their loss to Rotherham a fortnight ago.

But Wednesday’s blitz, with their three goals coming in 13 second-half minutes, was enough to get them a vital win, which moves them three points clear of seventh-placed Cardiff.

Defeat for Charlton enhances the likelihood of them exiting the division at the other end as they are now six points from safety.

The Addicks saw an impressive run of form end at Hillsborough and boss Jose Riga knew his side could not afford to concede the first goal.

“During the first hour we were in the game,” he said. “In the first half we could do more to counter them, we didn’t have a lot of opportunities, but they didn’t either.

“We knew if we conceded the first it would be difficult. It was difficult after conceding the first goal.

“It’s a disappointment because we’re coming through three good games. We knew everybody had to be at their best level, the level we had against Middlesbrough and we didn’t have that today.

“We were present in most of the game, we couldn’t find a way to compete in the final 20 minutes.”

On his side’s survival battle, he added: “I want to believe in it until mathematically it will not be possible because I have seen the players. We have to work and try to find the right solutions. I don’t accept the situation, not at all.”

Sheff Wed: Westwood, Hunt, Lees, Loovens, Pudil, Wallace, Lee, Hutchinson, McGeady, Forestieri, Hooper. Subs: Palmer, Marco Matias, Nuhiu, Lucas Joao, Lopez, Sasso, Wildsmith.

Charlton: Pope, Motta, Fanni, Teixeira, Fox, Gudmundsson, Ba, Diarra, Yun, Harriott, Ghoochannejhad. Subs: Jackson, Makienok Christoffersen, Vetokele, Lennon, Mitov, Lookman, Poyet.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

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