'˜We deserved to win' insists Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY coach Carlos Carvalhal insisted his team deserved to beat Championship play-off rivals Reading despite going down 2-0 at Hillsborough.
FRUSTRATING: Sheffield Wednesday boss, Carlos Carvalhal. Picture: Steve Ellis.FRUSTRATING: Sheffield Wednesday boss, Carlos Carvalhal. Picture: Steve Ellis.
FRUSTRATING: Sheffield Wednesday boss, Carlos Carvalhal. Picture: Steve Ellis.

Goals from Yann Kermorgant and substitute Adrian Popa gave Reading victory, leaving Wednesday with just one win in their last six games.

Kermorgant put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes, cutting in from the right and slotting the ball beyond Keiren Westwood into the far corner of the net.

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Morgan Fox went close to equalising midway through the half when he saw his effort strike Ali Al Habsi’s left-hand post.

Jordan Rhodes also threatened, heading wide, while Will Buckley forced a double save from the impressive Al Habsi.

Callum McManaman then had a shot parried and Al Habsi was called into action again, producing a good save to keep Buckley’s effort out.

McManaman forced another fine save from Al Habsi late on.

Deep into stoppage time, Popa added a second, finding the unguarded net after keeper Westwood was left stranded after going up field.

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But, despite the latest setback, head coach Carvalhal was adamant his side did enough to win the game.

“I think all of us will agree that we did everything to win the game,” said Carvalhal. “We gave the maximum and we deserved to win the game, in my opinion.

“My players played with a fantastic attitude and they created a lot of chances. The highlights will explain the story of the game very easily.

“We played against a goalkeeper with a big inspiration tonight and it was one of the problems of the game. He was absolutely fantastic.”

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Despite the disappointment, Carvalhal insisted he was confident his team could rebound and secure a play-off spot for a second successive year.

“Of course I’m disappointed with the score, but I’m proud of the players,” he added.

“It was a very hard week for me - probably one of the hardest for me in my career as a coach - because we missed some players. But the boys that played did absolutely fantastic.

“This is not over yet. We’re still alive and we’ll be focused in the last eight games to achieve the points which will achieve a good position.”