Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore delivered this verdict on narrow first-leg Sunderland defeat

Ross Stewart’s goal just before half time on Friday night proved to be the difference between the two teams in front of a record EFL play-off attendance.

There had been little between the two sides before the Scot’s strike, though the Black Cats had dominated territory and possession. Alex Neil’s side then threatened to double their advantage in a superb spell after the interval, but the Owls were able to ride the pressure and finished relatively strongly.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Moore said afterwards.

"I've played loads of times here as a player and come here as a manager and when the crowd gets up like that it's a difficult place.

"The disappointing thing for me about the game was we didn't use the ball as well as we could but give Sunderland credit, they put a lot of energy into the game, worked, pressed us and used the ball well.

"It's not easy here with a full house under the lights.

"The positives were that the boys were dogged and put their bodies on the line.

"The goal was avoidable and we accept that but after about 60, 65 minutes I just felt the energy on the pitch change and we finished the game a lot stronger without looking really that threatening. We could have used it better.

"The game lived up to my expectations, we knew we had to stay dogged.