91Èȱ¬

Second-half goals from Connor Wickham and Chris Maguire ensured Sheffield Wednesday began the new year with victory as they beat Blackpool in the Championship at Hillsborough.

Wickham gave Wednesday the lead just after the restart when his low drive went in off defender Jack Robinson.

Maguire made it 2-0 when he scrambled the ball over the line from close range after Wickham fired goalwards.

Craig Cathcart had Blackpool's best chance but headed wide.

Victory will boost Wednesday caretaker manager Stuart Gray's bid to be handed the job on a permanent basis.

The match only went ahead following a pitch inspection, which took place 90 minutes before kick-off after heavy rain overnight.

The rain continued to fall as the game got under way, with Wednesday the better of the two sides early on.

Jacques Maghoma's low shot and Roger Johnson's long-range effort were both well saved by keeper Matt Gilks.

Atdhe Nuhiu's shot struck a defender before Maghoma and team-mate Maguire both shot wide while at the other end.

Barry Ferguson squandered Blackpool's first real chance when he put a free-kick over.

The visitors then saw another opportunity go wanting when Dan Gosling's shot was saved and Johnson's clearance rebounded off Tyler Blackett and bounced of the post.

Wednesday started the second half like they did the first and this time they were rewarded through Wickham's strike.

Maguire doubled the lead and had a chance for a third but pulled the ball wide of the post.

Cathcart headed Blackpool's best chance wide before Wickham shot wide in stoppage time.

Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Stuart Gray:

"I was disappointed with our first-half performance. We didn't play at a high enough intensity. If anything, we should have had more goals but the pleasing thing was the 2-0 win and the three points.

"Connor Wickham has a great habit of being in the right positions, we're delighted that Sunderland have agreed to extend his stay here. Connor is a young lad who's getting valuable experience, playing at a good level.

"I'm just on a game-to-game basis so I imagine I will be preparing the team for Macclesfield [in the FA Cup third round]. I'll carry on until I am told different."

Blackpool assistant manager Steve Thompson:

"We're very disappointed - if you don't take your chances, you're going to get punished. We had a good meeting after the game, where we had a heart-to-heart.

"We discussed a lot of things we need to improve on, such as decision-making on the ball. It was a constructive discussion and we'll get back on the training ground on Thursday and try and sort things out.

"Credit to Sheffield Wednesday who did well and played to their strengths. I'm sure the manager and chairman will be sitting down to try and get the squad up to strength."