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Michael Smith scored his first goal since the opening weekend for struggling Sheffield WednesdayStriker Michael Smith scored twice against former club Rotherham United as Sheffield Wednesday ended a 13-game winless run in the Championship in a South Yorkshire derby.
Smith put the Owls ahead with his second goal of the season, firing in the rebound after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson had denied Anthony Musaba.
Barry Bannan, whose pass found Musaba to create the chance, was busy for the Owls and it was from his half-cleared cross that George Byers struck a shot over the bar.
The Owls doubled their lead when Smith struck again in the 36th minute, tucking the ball beyond Johansson.
Josh Windass then tried a speculative effort that faded, while substitute Sebastian Revan wasted a chance for Rotherham when he skied over from close range and then fired wide late on.
There was a poignant moment of togetherness for the two rivals when a minute's silence was held before the match for Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson, who died after an accident in Saturday's Challenge Cup game with Sheffield Steelers.
Victory in this derby was a welcome first three league points for Wednesday fans who have endured a miserable season so far, and for new head coach Danny Rohl, who succeeded Xisco Munoz amid the poor run of form for his first role as the main man.
Rohl's side started the game with enthusiasm from the off, with Bannan crafting in midfield, and Rotherham, besides a couple of chances, were second-best throughout.
It was a disappointing result for Millers boss Matt Taylor, who had a good record at Hillsborough of late and his side had drawn with in-form Southampton and beaten Coventry City in their past two games.
Wednesday remain bottom but cut the gap between them and Huddersfield Town in 21st to eight points, while third-bottom Rotherham are three clear of the Owls.
Line-ups
Sheff Wed
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1DawsonBooked at 90mins
- 6Iorfa
- 5Diaby
- 17BernardBooked at 45mins
- 13PatersonSubstituted forValentínat 80'minutes
- 8ByersSubstituted forVaulksat 64'minutes
- 10Bannan
- 33James
- 11WindassSubstituted forGassamaat 80'minutes
- 45MusabaSubstituted forBuckleyat 73'minutes
- 24Smith
Substitutes
- 4Vaulks
- 9Gregory
- 14Valentín
- 18Johnson
- 20Ihiekwe
- 21Buckley
- 36Vásquez
- 41Gassama
- 42Cadamarteri
Rotherham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Johansson
- 2Lembikisa
- 23Morrison
- 21PeltierBooked at 39minsSubstituted forNombeat 71'minutes
- 3Bramall
- 18Rathbone
- 27TiéhiBooked at 47minsSubstituted forKellyat 70'minutes
- 30AppiahSubstituted forRevanat 26'minutes
- 7Ribeiro DiasSubstituted forClucasat 63'minutes
- 14Onyedinma
- 10HugillBooked at 82mins
Substitutes
- 4Ayala
- 8Clucas
- 9Eaves
- 12Kelly
- 22Odoffin
- 26Phillips
- 28Revan
- 29Nombe
- 35McGuckin
Referee:Andy Davies
Attendance:29,038
Live Text
Match ends, Sheffield Wednesday 2, Rotherham United 0.
Second Half ends, Sheffield Wednesday 2, Rotherham United 0.
Attempt saved. Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by John Buckley.
Cameron Dawson (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card.
Dominic Iorfa (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jordan Hugill (Rotherham United).
Di'Shon Bernard (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Georgie Kelly (Rotherham United).
Attempt missed. Sebastian Revan (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Nombe.
Attempt missed. Georgie Kelly (Rotherham United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left.
Offside, Rotherham United. Viktor Johansson tries a through ball, but Sebastian Revan is caught offside.
Foul by Reece James (Sheffield Wednesday).
Fred Onyedinma (Rotherham United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Jordan Hugill (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Dominic Iorfa (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jordan Hugill (Rotherham United).
Pol Valentín (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Sam Clucas (Rotherham United).
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Djeidi Gassama replaces Josh Windass.
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Pol Valentín replaces Callum Paterson.
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