You contract thriller, Joao..

OWLS boss Jos Luhukay welcomed Lucas Joao’s return from injury after the Portuguese marked his new contract with two goals in a heated game.

While Joao took the plaudits, it was hero to zero for Ipswich defender Aristote Nsiala (below).

He drew Ipswich level five minutes before halftime with Wednesday howling for offside before being awarded a harsh red card for a challenge on Fernando Forestieri, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes.

The hosts then claimed the winner two minutes later to record their second win a row.

Joao, who signed a new deal in midweek tying himself to Hillsborough until 2021, was back from a groin injury that had kept him out since the first day of the season.

Luhukay said: “We are very happy that Lucas was available after his injury. We see how important he is in moments in the game.

“He is a player who is not always predictable for himself and for his team, but also for the opponent and today he was an important reason that we can win this game.”

Defeat leaves Ipswich – who had not lost at Hillsborough in nine league visits since 2007 – bottom and searching for their first three points of the season.

Manager Paul Hurst, a boyhood Wednesday fan, pointed to the red card which even Luhukay admitted seemed harsh.

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

“I’ll try to be careful with my words because it seems we can’t criticise when people get things wrong, which isn’t right to me.

“It’s the ref’s job, he has got to do better than that.”

Joao gave Wednesday the lead in the 16th minute, nodding home Barry Bannan’s corner at the back post.

Jordan Thorniley went close with a diving header and Wednesday looked more threatening, but Ipswich levelled five minutes from the break, Nsiala nodding home from Luke Chambers’ flick. Owls fans wanted offside and while Ellis Harrison may have been, he was not involved in the build-up.

It could have been even worse, Liam Palmer clearing another Nsiala effort off the line before Cameron Dawson made a one-handed save from Harrison.

There was little between the sides in the second half and Forestieri’s appearance in the 73rd minute proved to be the turning point.

Nsiala looked to have made a clean challenge only for referee Jeremy Simpson to send him off.

Two minutes later Joao headed home from a rebound off a post.