Sheffield Wednesday are on course for a rare win that could pull them away from the Championship danger zone as goals from Reda Johnson and Atdhe Nuhiu has given them a half-time lead against Leeds United.

The hosts had a great chance to take the lead when Jacques Maghoma found himself on the end of a through-ball with only the keeper to beat, but the forward couldn't keep his footing at the crucial time.

Leeds appeared to struggle in defence and were made to pay on 20 minutes when poor marking allowed Johnson to latch onto a ball into the box and guide it past keeper Paddy Kenny, although replays suggested that Danny Pugh may have played an inadvertent hand in the finish.

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In a first half of limited opportunities, the Owls almost doubled their lead when Chris Maguire found himself in space on the edge of the area and his low drilled shot forced Kenny to parry away.

The hosts did double their advantage on the stroke of half time when Kieran Lee found himself in space on the left side of the box before playing in Nuhiu, who calmly slotted home.

Wednesday have won only four of their 23 Championship games this season coming in to this Yorkshire derby.