Atdhe Nuhiu scored his ninth goal of the season for Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday picked up three points at Hillsborough for the first time since Boxing Day with victory against Middlesbrough.
After a goalless first half, Ken Omeruo's handball gave the home side a penalty, which Atdhe Nuhiu despatched.
Wednesday doubled the lead when Lewis McGugan's free-kick was touched on to the post and Will Keane headed home.
Boro missed the chance to overtake Championship leaders Derby County, who lost at Fulham.
Wednesday had won just one of their last eight games against a Boro side who had lost just once since late December, but this victory completed the double against the Championship promotion hopefuls.
The first half arguably had as many stoppages for injury as chances, with Nuhiu receiving treatment for Wednesday and Boro's Patrick Bamford also needing attention after a knock to the head.
Keane headed over as the Owls pressed, while at the other end a wayward Adam Clayton shot and an Adam Forshaw lob were Boro's closest attempts.
After a scrappy start to the second half, Wednesday were gifted the opportunity to go in front by centre-half Omeruo's handball as he leapt for a cross, and striker Nuhiu drilled the penalty to the goalkeeper's right for the opener.
The same defender's foul then conceded a free-kick that McGugan delivered into the Middlesbrough box and Keane finished via the post.
Omeruo was subbed soon after his brace of errors and headed straight down the tunnel, while Keane could have had a second when his shot was saved by Dimi Konstantopoulos with the Boro defence absent.
Grant Leadbitter and Jose Semedo clashed as tempers flared and both sides had chances, although Wednesday remained the more comfortable and composed of the teams.
Kike saw the ball whipped off his toe by goalkeeper Keiren Westwood as Boro mounted a late flurry but the Owls held firm and might have scored again themselves through Nuhiu.
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Stuart Gray: "We worked all week to press and close down and force errors, which we did do. It was an open game in the first half but we probably dominated more with the ball but neither keeper was worked.
Stuart Gray: Sheffield Wednesday boss on Boro win
"Second half, our performance thoroughly deserved the win. The only way they were probably going to get in was on a counter attack.
"Every game I've seen them, they've dominated the games through the midfield and we stopped them from playing and suddenly we were on the front foot. We won more second balls today, we became more creative and we caused them problems.
"In our last three games we've got seven goals but we've achieved nothing and we've got to make sure we keep going."
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka: "Last Tuesday I said that against Bolton could be our worst performance (of the season) and today has been worse so it's difficult but we have to learn from the game today.
"We have two months in front of us and we're in a very good position in the table so we have to fix our mistakes.
"I don't want to use the pitch as an excuse because against Blackpool the pitch was worse than today.
"We won the game at Blackpool because we decided to win the game and we have lost today because we decided to lose. I like to play on better pitches but it's not an excuse."
Atdhe Nuhiu could have added to his penalty as Wednesday came out on top.
Patrick Bamford was one of several players to receive treatment during the games
Kike (right) had a chance for Boro late on but was denied by Keiren Westwood.
- Published27 February 2015
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019
