Sheffield Wednesday continue promotion push with a victory over Charlton Athletic

Sheffield Wednesday moved into the play-offs with their sixth victory in seven games as they swept aside Johnnie Jackson’s desperate Charlton Athletic side with a 2-0 win.

Charlton headed into this game having lost their previous four games as the travelling faithful will have feared the worst when George Byers headed home his third goal in six games after just five minutes.

The hosts did not let up after going ahead, with Barry Bannan causing the Charlton defence a host of issues cutting inside and firing shots towards Craig MacGillivray.

As half-time approached, Darren Moore’s side started turning the screw again on their visitors from London and some excellent play down the left-hand side saw a cross put on a plate for Callum Paterson to tap home.

Following this, the second half saw a comfortable performance from a Sheffield Wednesday side who were a level above their opponent.

Around 700 Charlton fans made the long journey up to Hillsborough and saw their side only record four shots, with only one of them hitting the target. Chelsea loanee Mason Burstow was frozen completely out of the game by the Wednesday back three, and as such, the Addicks’ attacking options were greatly limited.

On the contrary, the 21,000 fans at Hillsborough will have been delighted to see the ease at which they were able to achieve victory and how their team is starting to look like a real top outfit in the division. This is a polar opposite to the brittle team that won once in six through late August and September.

After this win, Wednesday moved into sixth ahead of another home game against Burton Albion. Should Darren Moore’s side secure another victory, they could move above Sunderland into fifth.

As for Charlton, their five-game losing streak has seen manager Johnnie Jackson come under some pressure, just months after the fans called for him to be appointed permanently. Their run does not get easier as they welcome Sunderland to the Valley next weekend.

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