Ipswich boss Paul Hurst unhappy with Aristote Nsiala dismissal

Ipswich manager Paul Hurst slammed the “totally wrong decision” in his side’s 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday after goalscorer Aristote Nsiala was shown a straight red card.

Nsiala, who followed Hurst to Portman Road from Shrewsbury in the summer, had cancelled out Lucas Joao’s opener before being dismissed with 15 minutes remaining for a high tackle on Wednesday’s Fernando Forestieri.

Moments later Joao grabbed his second the game to earn the Owls victory and leave Town still winless and propping up the Championship table.

Hurst said: “I don’t feel I need to say anything. I’ve been told that their guys have said it’s a totally wrong decision.

“Naturally it gives the opposition that lift, and it’s not long after that they score.

“Even with 10 men I thought Wednesday were relieved for the final whistle – they weren’t comfortable. We didn’t have many scares in truth.

“It’s another game where we can’t give a true reflection of what’s going on at the club.”

When asked if he was going to appeal against the red card, Hurst added: “Everyone’s telling us we should.

“I’ve seen decisions before in the past where someone’s appealed and they still don’t overturn them when we have a room full, and one person thinks opposite.

“I don’t know what our lad’s supposed to do after he’s won the ball. Is his leg supposed to drop off?! I just don’t know.”

Town started the game on the back of three successive away defeats and looked hungry to put that right from the first whistle.

The home side hit back, though, and scored the opening goal after 16 minutes when Joao nodded home a Barry Bannan corner.

Ipswich soon regained dominance and were rewarded with an equalising goal five minutes before half-time.

A Gwion Edwards cross looped in the air and it was helped on and into the box by Kayden Jackson and finally on to Nsiala, who headed home.

The second half was an even contest until the 75th minute, when Nsiala was shown a straight red card after fouling Forestieri.

Soon after another Bannan corner was met again by the head of Joao, who first headed against the post before firing home the rebound.

With the man advantage, Wednesday were able to see off the game and secure successive home victories.

Boss Jos Luhukay was happy Joao was available for selection, adding he is an “unpredictable” player.

The Dutchman said: “He was an important player for us to win the game. He had hard work in training to come back and played well for us.

“It was a totally different game to Wednesday. Ipswich closed the lines and we lost a lot of balls. We had no combinations and no chances.

“The second half was better, we had two or three good chances to score the second goal, but the game was until the end very close. We must give a lot of energy and a lot of effort to get the three points.”