Tom Lees netted his first goal of the season and Wednesday secured a much-needed win over Coventry at Hillsborough.
The 1-0 victory was also the first under Tony Pulis as his side climbed from the foot of the Championship table.
The performance was improved too, the points deserved following recent frustrations, and although the Sky Blues did have their moments, Wednesday were good value overall.
City threatened first and fashioned two chances inside six minutes. Keiren Westwood smartly saved Maxine Biamou’s near post hit and Leo Ostigard might have done better with a clear header from the resulting corner.
The Owls regrouped and went on to boss possession, Barry Bannan and Adam Reach were off target from distance before Ben Sheaf produced a timely block to thwart Josh Windass.
The contest was end to end, with the first goal crucial and Wednesday seemed the more likely. Pulis' side had the final opportunity of the opening period four minutes before the whistle when the ball sat invitingly for Windass 12 yards out but the striker’s shot was skewed.
The Owls started the second half in charge and Ben Wilson dived low to keep out a low Windass drive from range.
Coventry countered in an instant with Sam McAllum’s teasing cross cum shot forcing Westwood into evasive action before Liam Palmer hooked an Ostigard header off the line moments later.
The breakthrough came on 67 minutes and went the way of Wednesday. Barry Bannan floated a hanging free kick into the danger zone and Lees was on hand to nod powerfully across Wilson and in.
Westwood kept out substitute Amadou Bakayoko straight after the restart as Coventry sought an instant route back. Lees denied the same player with a well-timed block and it was all the visitors as the clock ticked down.
But the Owls broke out of their own half with two minutes to go when Windass had the chance to put the game to bed one on one only for Wilson to come good when it mattered.
Back came City as they pressed for a leveller but the Owls managed the remainder of the game with resolute discipline to provide some festive cheer.
Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Lees, Dunkley, Reach, Bannan (van Aken 83), Pelupessy, Shaw (Rhodes 64), Harris, Paterson, Windass (Kachunga 90)