Benito Carbone broke his goal drought in brilliant fashion to give Nottingham Forest another dose of the away-day blues. The Italian struck twice in four second-half minutes as Sheffield Wednesday won their second successive match at Hillsborough.
Niclas Alexandersson gave Wednesday a half-time lead before Carbone - whose cross set up Alexandersson's effort - took centre stage. On 54 minutes, Jon Olav Hjelde's poor clearance landed at the feet of Carbone - without a goal in 12 starts this season before last night - and he sent a delightful chip over Dave Beasant to put his side 2-0 up.
Thierry Bonalair reduced the arrears 90 seconds later, but no sooner had Forest scored than they were two goals behind again.
Petter Rudi's weighted through pass found Carbone in space and after steadying himself, the £3 million striker curled his shot beyond Beasant and inside the far post.
Pierre van Hooijdonk pulled a goal back 20 minutes from time, but it was not to be for Forest and they slipped to another defeat.
There was a frenetic finale, in which Jean-Claude Darcheville sent a header flashing wide, but Wednesday were able to hang on.
Sheffield Wednesday: Srnicek, Atherton, Jonk, Walker, Carbone (Stefanovic 90), Booth, Hinchcliffe, Thome, Rudi (Briscoe 79), Alexandersson, Sonner. Subs Not Used: Clarke, Humphreys, Magilton. Goals: Alexandersson 22, Carbone 53, 58.
Nottingham Forest: Beasant, Rogers, Quashie (Gray 63), Chettle, Hjelde, Johnson, Bart-Williams, Armstrong (Gemmill 63), Bonalair, Darcheville (Harewood 77), Van Hooijdonk. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Shipperley. Booked: Chettle. Goals: Bonalair 55, Van Hooijdonk 70. Att: 19,321.
Referee: R Harris (Oxford).
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