MX23RW : Friday, April 26 21:17:25| >> :600:348848:348848:
Apr 22, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Hillsborough Stadium (Sheffield)
Attendance: 23,998
Sheff WedsSheffield Wednesday
2-0
Bristol City
Bannan (17'), Joao (39')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Steve Bruce "very pleased" as Sheffield Wednesday keep playoff hopes alive

Steve Bruce
© Reuters
Bannan scored one and made the other.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce hailed his side's performance in their 2-0 win against Bristol City and praised Barry Bannan's match-winning performance.

Bannan opened the scoring in the 17th minute with stunning strike into the top corner from 25 yards that left Max O'Leary with no chance.

The Owls doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Bannan clipped a delightful ball behind the City defence to Lucas Joao, who calmly lifted the ball over O'Leary and into the back of the net.

The Robins fought hard in the second half but could not pull a goal back. Famara Diedhiou and Josh Brownhill came close, but both saw their efforts stopped by Cameron Dawson.

Bruce said: "I couldn't wish for anything more from them. There were a lot of tired bodies. We had a few mistakes towards the end but overall, I was able to make the changes and freshen the side up and it paid off.

"I don't think you're going to get a couple of goals as good as that in any league so I'm obviously very pleased.

"In the first half we looked a very decent team. The second half became a bit pedestrian and Bristol were throwing themselves at us.

"Barry is a very good footballer and going forward, you always want your good players. He's been here a few years and made himself a crowd favourite and to be a favourite at a big club like this you must have ability and he's got it in abundance."

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson praised his players' efforts but was disappointed his team could not capitalise on their opportunities.

Johnson said: "It's disappointing, definitely an opportunity missed. We thought we could have taken the game to Sheffield Wednesday, but we didn't do enough in the first 15 minutes.

"We weren't bright enough, we weren't sharp enough and we couldn't stop Bannan dictating things. But after that I thought we were the better side that played the better football.

"We can't keep giving ourselves a mountain to climb by gifting the opposition the first 10 minutes.

"I couldn't fault the players' attitude, energy and will to win but unfortunately we didn't demonstrate the composure and quality to take the chances that we had.

"We were trying to win from the start. We wanted to win the game, at half time I wanted a couple to raise their intensity, which they did, but we didn't have that killer instinct."


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool36287184206491
2Manchester CityMan City35292489226789
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs352311165353070
4Chelsea35207859382167
5Arsenal35206969462366
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd35197963501364
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35149124443151
8Watford35148135050050
9Everton35147145044649
10Leicester CityLeicester35146154847148
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham35127164454-1043
12Crystal Palace35126174348-542
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
14Bournemouth35125184962-1341
15Burnley35117174462-1840
16Southampton35910164158-1737
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3597193254-2234
18Cardiff CityCardiff3594223065-3531
RFulham3565243376-4323
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3635282074-5414

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