Tom Lees scored for the first time in almost a year to put Sheffield Wednesday ahead
Tony Pulis got his first win as Sheffield Wednesday manager as the Owls beat Coventry City to end a nine-game winless run in the Championship.
After an uninspiring first half, the deadlock was finally broken midway through the second period as Barry Bannan's curling free-kick from the left was met at the far post by Tom Lees' header.
The Owls, who moved off the bottom of the Championship with victory, were indebted to goalkeeper Keiren Westwood for the three points after a number of good saves before his side went ahead.
Coventry tried in vain to snatch an equaliser in a game which saw them create more chances than their hosts.
The Sky Blues drop a place to 19th in the table, six points above the relegation places.
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The recalled Max Biamou almost gave the visitors a sixth-minute lead as the forward caught Liam Palmer in possession, but his shot was saved by the returning Westwood, with Leo Ostigard heading the resulting corner just wide.
Struggling Wednesday looked nervy early on - Josh Windass saw a 24th-minute effort blocked brilliantly by Ben Sheaf while he scuffed an effort wide late in the first half after Liam Shaw's effort had been cleared.
Westwood shone after an hour as he made fine saves first from Sam McCallum and then from a cross that came off his own defender Cheyenne Dunkley, before Dunkley cleared an Ostigard header off the line from the resulting corner.
Westwood then saved well from Amadou Bakayoko's 70th-minute effort with Ostigard putting the follow-up into the the side netting, before Bakayoko had an effort blocked by Lees five minutes later.
Wednesday should have made their victory margin more comfortable in the final minutes, but Ben Wilson did well to save from Windass after the striker had broken through on goal.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"We were missing quite a few players but the players that have stepped in have done really well
"Winning is everything and hides a multitude of sins and I'm delighted for the dressing room and the supporters who have waited a long time for that.
"We need to make this a fortress and that hasn't been the case of late."
Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire:
"It was a really difficult game and it was a horrific pitch.
"We weren't ruthless enough in front of goal, we had good opportunities and didn't make the most of it.
"You just feel it was a game too far for us after the run we've been on but no heads should be hanging, the players gave it everything they had."
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsSheff Wed
- 1Westwood15Lees23Dunkley2Palmer7K Harris8PelupessyBooked at 50mins10BannanSubstituted forvan Akenat 83'minutes26ShawSubstituted forRhodesat 64'minutes11ReachBooked at 79mins5Paterson18WindassSubstituted forKachungaat 90+3'minutes
Substitutes
- 4van Aken14Penney17Dele-Bashiru19Urhoghide20Rhodes24Brown28Wildsmith29Hunt45Kachunga
Coventry
- 13Wilson2ØstigardBooked at 66minsSubstituted forGilesat 73'minutes5McFadzean15Hyam23DaboSubstituted forDa Costaat 72'minutes8Allen14SheafSubstituted forKastaneerat 83'minutes21McCallum11O'Hare9BiamouSubstituted forGoddenat 73'minutes19WalkerSubstituted forBakayokoat 42'minutes
Substitutes
- 16Pask18Giles20Bakayoko22Camp24Godden26Shipley29Da Costa33Kastaneer41Bapaga
Referee:John BrooksMatch StatsHome TeamSheff WedAway TeamCoventryPossessionHome40%Away60%ShotsHome12Away13Shots on TargetHome4Away5CornersHome5Away3FoulsHome15Away10Live TextPost update
Match ends, Sheffield Wednesday 1, Coventry City 0.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield Wednesday 1, Coventry City 0.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by Amadou Bakayoko (Coventry City).
90'+5'Post update
Callum Paterson (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Kyle McFadzean (Coventry City).
90'+3'Post update
Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Elias Kachunga replaces Josh Windass.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Julien Da Costa (Coventry City).
90'+1'Post update
Jordan Rhodes (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
89'Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Windass (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adam Reach with a through ball.
86'Post update
Kyle McFadzean (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86'Post update
Foul by Jordan Rhodes (Sheffield Wednesday).
85'Post update
Attempt missed. Matt Godden (Coventry City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Kyle McFadzean with a headed pass.
84'Post update
Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Sam McCallum.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Coventry City. Gervane Kastaneer replaces Ben Sheaf.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Joost van Aken replaces Barry Bannan because of an injury.
81'Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum Paterson (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
79'Booking
Adam Reach (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
79'Post update
Julien Da Costa (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
79'Post update
Foul by Adam Reach (Sheffield Wednesday).
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Source: bbc.com