NEW Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk saluted his battling side as they snatched deserved Yorkshire derby bragging rights with a 2-0 win at Huddersfield.

Goals from on-song strikers Steven Fletcher and Sam Winnall did the damage as the Owls impressed to upset the Terriers, who had Danny Cowley in charge for the first time.

“Like any new manager you want to get off to the best possible start,” Monk said. “There’s been doubts about this squad and these players for the last couple of years, for whatever reason.

“I don’t know what’s gone before, but maybe this squad haven’t had enough belief to produce the quality we all know they have.

“But they’ve been great since I’ve come in. I’ve been really pleased with the response of the squad.

“I said this week was about not over-complicating things for the players. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I’m delighted with them.

“The team attitude towards a difficult game was very pleasing. I thought we created the better chances and I was delighted with the goals.

“But the most important thing was to get the three points. We deserved that. The fans were right behind us and fantastic for the team.

“Overall we had the best chances in the game, we could have scored one or two more. We know we have the quality, it’s about making sure the belief is there.

“The players deserved a lot of credit. We kept the crowd quiet and scored our goals at good times.”

The hosts had been looking for a welcome win in Danny Cowley’s first game, but defeat means they remain winless in the Championship this term.

Scotland international Fletcher scored his fourth goal in six games in the 10th minute with a powerful header.

And then substitute Winnall made sure of the points with his first league goal for nearly two years with 18 minutes remaining.