Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, match report: Wednesday roar back to put Kenny Jackett 'in the firing line'

Sheffield Wednesday 4 Wolves1

Fernando Forestieri celebrates getting Sheffield Wednesday’s equaliser, the first of his two goals in a 4-1 win (PA)

Sheffield Wednesday’s first win in five matches took them back to within a point of the top six as Wolves failed to break out of their slump, with manager Kenny Jackett admitting he is “in the firing line” with his side 17th in the table.

Wolves have won only once in eight league games and Jackett is in no doubt his squad needs reinforcing. “We finished seventh last year so our league position is not where it wants to be,” he said. “I accept I am in the firing line.

“I don’t question anyone’s attitude but leadership on the field and some of the decision making are things I do question and as a group we do need to give them some help in January.”

Wolves had taken the lead through a Benik Afobe penalty but Wednesday were in front by half-time after Fernando Forestieri scored twice, the first a penalty after striker Lucas Joao was sandwiched by centre-backs Danny Batth and Ethan Ebanks-Landell, the second five minutes later when Forestieri thrashed the ball home from eight yards.

In the second half, Wednesday emphasised the defensive shortcomings of the visitors with further goals by Daniel Pudil, who curled the ball deftly into the left-hand corner from 12 yards, and Gary Hooper.

Hopes are growing among Wednesday fans of at least a play-off place but head coach Carlos Carvalhal, who has had to rebuild a squad that finished 13th last year, is more conservative in his forecasts.

“Compared with how we were at the end of August, we are playing much better and we are making progress but that is all,” he said. “I believe, though, if we do not get too euphoric about winning and stay calm when we lose we can make a good challenge.”

Elsewhere, Preston manager Simon Grayson’s return to Elland Road turned sour as keeper Jordan Pickford was sent off for handling outside the area after half an hour and Leeds won 1-0, thanks to a headed own goal from Alan Browne just after the break.

Reading ended a run of four successive league defeats in new manager Brian McDermott’s first match in charge with a solid 1-0 home victory over Blackburn.

The visitors, who lost for the first time in nine games, were undone early on by a spectacular long-range strike from midfielder Danny Williams.