Match Review: Boro 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Goals from Emmanuel Latte Lath and Isaiah Jones ensured victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Easter Monday.

In a contest fully controlled by the Teessiders, the Ivorian finished acutely into the far corner - not too dissimilar to his late equaliser on the south coast four days previously – before Jones wrapped up the points via a superb break.

Still holding a lengthy injury list of 11 first-team regulars, Michael Carrick named largely the same line-up from Good Friday with only a single alteration to the side that battled back against Southampton.

Luke Thomas replaced Lukas Engel at left-back and the young quartet of Pharrell Willis, Luke Woolston, Law McCabe and Charlie Lennon remained in the matchday 20.

Having looked certainties for relegation prior to the appointment of Danny Röhl, five league wins from the past nine have provided the South Yorkshire outfit with a renewed sense of optimism and, with four minutes on the clock, Marvin Johnson clipped the outside of the post.

Though the Owls were clearly perturbed by Boro’s clever interplay, Lewis O’Brien’s cute attempt sent off-target by Barry Bannan as Michael Carrick's men responded.

Parity remained midway through the first half but, in a tight affair with chances at a premium, Anthony Musaba failed to connect as Wednesday worked in behind Boro’s backline.

Yet, as half-time approached, the shackles of the game were shaken off. After Finn Azaz was scythed down on the edge of the area, Sam Greenwood stepped over a tempting free-kick, sending it narrowly over the crossbar with James Beadle worried.

Greenwood then looked to turn provider by whipping over towards Isaiah Jones, his first-time effort skewing over the bar.

Boro’s breakthrough did arrive before the interval. Emmanuel Latte Lath rose highest to arrow a deft header into the corner, marking the 11th goal of an impressive debut campaign, and the Teessiders were really strutting their stuff in the final moments of the opening half.

Latte Lath stung the palms of Beadle from range before Dan Barlaser waltzed his way into the area, the shot sent behind via a deflection.

It took just 11 seconds for Boro to carve out the opening chance of the second period, Latte Lath racing through and earning a corner.

And, after appeals for a penalty on O’Brien were waved away, the Ivorian went close again – this time bringing out the best in Beadle, who made a strong save at his near post.

It truly was one-way traffic at the Riverside. Beadle was called into action to deny Thomas at his near post, Latte Lath fired over when through at a tight angle and Greenwood’s strike was beaten away.

That’s not to say the Owls weren’t without opportunities of their own but when the visitors did flurry forward, they struggled to penetrate a resolute back four with passes sent astray.

Fatefully, Boro’s second came when Wednesday were enjoying a brief period of sustained pressure – Jones leading the charge from an Owls corner with Bannan’s intervention only diverting the ball into the top corner.

It might have been three moments later. Boro this time awarded a spot-kick after Bannan handled in the area but Greenwood saw the penalty bounce back off the upright.

Though it mattered not in terms of the result, the Teessiders more than value for the three points.