First-half goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Nathaniel Chalobah were enough to secure three much-needed points for the Royals who were comfortably better than the visitors from the first whistle to the last.

Pogrebnyak headed home a Stephen Kelly cross in the 29th minute, before Chalobah's excellent finish from a Gareth McCleary pass in the 40th minute doubled Reading's lead.

It could've been even better for Reading but Hal Robson-Kanu's weak penalty was saved by Keiren Westwood in the second half.

But a first win in four league games for Steve Clarke's side means they move up to 16th in the Championship, though they remain just seven points above the drop after Millwall won at Nottingham Forest.

Clarke made two changes from the disappointing midweek stalemate at Millwall.

McCleary returned in place of Nick Blackman and Simon Cox came in for Oliver Norwood, as Clarke reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

It was a lively start and both sides forced a save out of the respective goalkeepers in the opening 10 minutes.

Reading were the first to threaten as Simon Cox forced a fine save out of Westwood in the Wednesday goal after just seven minutes.

Hal Robson-Kanu played Cox in with a slide rule pass but the Reading forward couldn't find a way past Owls' keeper.

It was an end-to-end start and Adam Federici was next to be called into action as Jacques Maghoma's cut-back was met by Chris Maguire, but his first-time effort was held at the second attempt by the Reading keeper.

Royals were carving their opponents open with ease and McCleary went close after a Chalobah pass found him out wide.

McCleary cut back inside onto his left foot but his curling effort was wide of the far left-hand post.

The Reading winger was enjoying a lot of freedom down the right-hand side and he was involved again as the Royals took the lead in the 29th minute.

McCleary's cross was initially blocked before he laid the ball back to Stephen Kelly, who's deep cross was superbly headed into the top left-hand corner by Pogrebnyak.

The cross didn't have loads of pace on it so it was a fantastic header from the Russian striker, as he netted his second goal of the season.

It was a goal that was richly deserved for the Royals and they made it 2-0 in the 40th minute when Chalobah grabbed his first goal for the club.

McCleary went racing down the right and beat Joe Mattock for pace before delivering a low bouncing ball to Chalobah, who met it perfectly to half-volley the ball into the top left-hand corner.

It was a fine finish and one that showcased the talent that the Chelsea loanee has at his disposal.

Moments later and it could have been three for a rampant Royals, but Robson-Kanu's hooked effort was cleared off the line by Glenn Loovens.

Despite their late dominance, Reading were indebted to Federici at the end of the first half as he made a superb full stretch save to deny Lewis Baker from 12 yards out.

It would've been harsh on the Royals to concede in added time but Federici ensured it stayed 2-0 at the break.

It was a frantic start to the second half and Reading were denied a third goal by the assistant referee's offside flag.

A superb counter attack from the Royals saw Pogrebnyak back-heel the ball into Robson-Kanu's path. He slipped in McCleary and he drilled the ball past Westwood, but the assistant had deemed him offside.

Reading were looking comfortable against a play-off chasing Sheffield Wednesday and they had the perfect chance to seal all three points when Pogrebnyak was brought down inside the box by substitute Jeremy Helan.

But Robson-Kanu's penalty was weak and it was a simple save for Westwood.

The miss gave Wednesday fans some hope of a comeback and they did force a couple of chances after the penalty, but Federici was equal to them.

Clarke brought Norwood on for Cox and reverted to 4-5-1 and it did the required trick as Reading held on to record a much-needed home win and only their second Championship victory in nine matches.

Reading: Adam Federici; Stephen Kelly, Michael Hector, Alex Pearce, Jordan Obita; Garath McCleary (Nick Blackman '78), Nathaniel Chalobah, Danny Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu (Jamie Mackie '78); Simon Cox (Oliver Norwood), Pavel Pogrebnyak. Subs not used: Mikkel Andersen; Jake Cooper, Jure Travner; Jem Karacan.

Sheffield Wednesday: Kieren Westwood; Liam Palmer, Tom Lees, Glenn Loovens, Joe Mattock (Jeremy Helan '45); Sam Hutchinson (Claude Dielna '68), Kieran Lee, Lewis Baker (Atdhe Nuhiu '45); Jacques Maghoma, Will Keane, Chris Maguire. Subs not used: Joe Wildsmith, Lewis Buxton, Stevie May, Giles Coke.

Referee:Brendan Malone.

Attendance: 17,775 (Sheff Wed 2,392.)