Sheffield Wednesday secured another comeback win on the road on Friday, beating Portsmouth 2-1 at Fratton Park.
The Portsmouth game was bound to be a potential banana skin for Sheffield Wednesday. And at half-time, that was certainly the case.
Danny Rohl found his side 1-0 down, conceding yet another goal from a corner as Sheffield Wednesday fans started to expect another dismal result.
But Rohl worked his magic at half-time. Jamal Lowe and Yan Valery came off the bench and helped transform the game in the Owls’ favour.
Josh Windass scored the equaliser, before Michael Smith scored a curling, thumping goal from range to seal the eventual win.
Sheffield Wednesday now sit in 11th place of the Championship table ahead of the rest of this weekend’s fixtures, with the Owls having earned consecutive comeback wins on the road after their win at Coventry City earlier this month.
Michael Smith named Sheffield Wednesday’s Man of the Match vs Portsmouth
There were a few candidates for the Man of the Match award against Portsmouth on Friday. But Sky Sports commentator Sam Parkin decided to give it to Smith.
He provided a neat assist for Windass’ equaliser and then scored the thunderous winning goal; his second goal of the season and his second assist of the season.
Barry Bannan and Shea Charles impressed in midfield once again, which Parkin noted. But he gave the Man of the Match award to Smith, who picked up the award at full-time.
Parkin said during the game: “There’s only one man, I think. I’ve been impressed with the Sheffield Wednesday midfield, but it’s got to be Michael Smith.
“When he went to shoot from there, I thought, ‘what are you thinking?’ But he unleashed one of the most spectacular goals you’ll ever see.”
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Michael Smith’s hilarious response to Sheffield Wednesday wondergoal
Smith started the game and put in a real shift against his former team. And talking to Sky Sports after the game, he admitted that he was ‘shattered’ by the time he scored his goal.
The 33-year-old said of his goal when claiming his Man of the Match award: “I was shattered, there was no way I was taking another touch.”
Michael Smith stats vs Portsmouth
Smith attempted the most duels of any Wednesday player on the night (17), winning the joint-most amount of duels on the night too (nine); all of his duels were aerial duels.
He also made two key passes on the night (Bannan most with three), recording two shots on target as well (most of anyone on the pitch).