Steve Watson's cool first-half finish settled an incident-packed Steel City derby in favour of Sheffield Wednesday.
Watson goal settles pulsating Steel City clash
Steve Watson's cool first-half finish settled an incident-packed Steel City derby in favour of Sheffield Wednesday.
There was a red card for each side, although the hosts still ended the match with 11 players on the field, a missed penalty and no shortage of passion in a fiercely-contested encounter at Hillsborough.
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon's harsh dismissal in the 27th minute proved to be the turning point, while Jermaine Johnson's second-half red for a show of petulance after being substituted was more pointless than pivotal.
The victory rocketed Brian Laws' side from 15th in the table to replace their bitter rivals in fifth, ending the Blades' three-game winning streak and proving how closely contested the Championship again promises to be.
The home side created the best early opening with a slick Owls move finding James O'Connor, who created space for a shot only to see it strike the chest of Kilgallon with the ball smuggled clear as Marcus Tudgay closed in.
Deon Burton then felt he should have had a penalty soon after as he clashed with Ugo Ehiogu after a deep ball into the box, but referee Mike Dean waved play on.
Slack defending by Ehiogu allowed O'Connor to burst forward from the halfway line before releasing Johnson in space on the left of the area, but he rushed his shot and blazed high and wide of goal when he should have at least tested Paddy Kenny.
Stunned
After 25 minutes Wednesday failed to clear their lines from a corner and Brian Howard came within inches of giving the visitors the lead from the edge of the box as his deflected effort nearly beat Lee Grant but flew the wrong side of the near post.
Moments later Kilgallon was dismissed as he caught Sean McAllister in the back with a high boot, although the challenge for the ball looked genuine and the defender was left stunned by Dean's decision to immediately flourish the red card.
Kevin Blackwell made an immediate substitution to strengthen his defence, removing David Cotterill and bringing on Chris Morgan, but the experienced centre-back's first act was to play a key role in the only goal of the game.
Goalkeeper Kenny came racing off his line to claim a floated ball into the box, but Morgan got there first to head clear, only to find Watson 25 yards out who measured his volley back over everyone's head and into the empty net, leaving the Blades duo to exchange furious words as Hillsborough erupted.
The Owls had two chances to extend their lead before the break with Mark Beevers heading wide after a quick free-kick on the right and O'Connor firing Johnson's cut-back wide of the post from close range, while Billy Sharp threatened for the Blades.
Wednesday missed a glorious chance to extend their lead at the start of the second half when they were awarded a penalty as O'Connor broke into box, cut inside Gary Speed and was felled by the veteran midfielder
Burton stepped up and fired powerfully to Kenny's right, but the Blades goalkeeper was equal to the effort and palmed it away to safety.
Clashed
James Beattie then looped a header narrowly over Grant's bar after a diagonal ball to the back post as the visitors continued to threaten.
Moments later Ehiogu did just enough to distract Richard Wood as he attempted to stab home Tudgay's knockdown to the near post.
Then came Wednesday's red card after Johnson was replaced by Akpo Sodje. The midfielder reacted badly, kicking a water bottle which flew into the stands and clashed with the coaching staff who tried to calm him down.
Dean's attention was brought to the incident by the fourth official, and he issued a second yellow card and a subsequent red to the already fuming Owls player, who will now serve a one-game ban.
With only one goal in it, the Blades still had hope and substitute Anthony Stokes broke forward after being gifted possession on the halfway line before rolling a pass into Beattie's path, with the striker's shot curling inches wide of the post.
Deep into injury time, Grant was penalised for time-wasting, giving the Blades an indirect free-kick just inside Wednesday's area, but Stokes drilled his effort straight into the wall.
From the resulting corner Kenny came up in a last desperate attempt to find an equaliser, but Wednesday held on to claim three points which will have greater meaning than most this season.
