Sheffield Wednesday match report: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Owls 0

Sheffield Wednesday produced a gritty, determined performance to hold Premier League-bound-Wolverhampton Wanderers to a goalless draw at Molineux.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield WednesdayWolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield Wednesday
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield Wednesday

Cameron Dawson pulled off a number of good saves either side of half-time as the Owls secured a third successive clean sheet.

The draw stretched Wednesday's unbeaten run to three matches and prevented Wolves from passing the 100 pointsd mark.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In their final away match of the season, Jos Luhukay opted to make three changes to his starting line-up. There were recalls for Jordan Thorniley, Lucas Joao and Atdhe Nuhiu. George Boyd and Jordan Rhodes dropped to the bench while Jack Hunt missed out through injury.

Wednesday's players gave the Wolves team a guard of honour before kick-off and there was a carnival atmosphere at Molineux.

The visitors held their own in the early stages but Wolves carried the greater attacking threat and Daniel Pudil had to be alert to clear away Diogo Jota's low cross.

Wolves, who have invested heavily in their squad over the last two years, continued to cause the Owls plenty of problems, with Pudil producing an inch perfect last-ditch tackle to stop Helder Costa from breaking clear.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Although Wednesday enjoyed their fair share of possession, Luhukay's men struggled to fashion any clear-cut openings.

For our Owls news and opinion on twitter follow hereAnd Tom Lees superbly charged down Atletico Madrid loanee Jota's right foot drive as Wolves kept pressing hard for the opener.

Romain Saiss tried his luck from long range but his effort drifted harmlessly wide.

Striker Benik Afobe almost fired the hosts in front in the 33rd minute after he pounced on a slack back pass by Joey Pelupessy. He rounded Cameron Dawson from an acute angle but failed to hit the target.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wolves kept piling on the pressure and Owls academy graduate Dawson was equal to Jota's fierce left foot strike from outside the penalty area.

Saiss then missed a guilt-edged opportunity to put Wolves ahead on the stroke of half-time. He met Barry Douglas's corner with a firm downward header at the back post only for Dawson to show great reflexes to keep it out.

It was Wolves who started on the front foot after the restart, with Neves playing in the lively Jota but his rasping shot was expertly saved by Dawson.

Moments later, Dawson produced another smart stop to thwart Jota as the hosts upped the ante.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Follow Dom Howson on twitterLuhukay freshened his forward line up just before the hour mark, throwing on Marco Matias for Joao.

It was all Wolves and Thorniley produced an immaculate sliding challenge inside the box as Costa prepared to shoot following a great through ball by the influential Jota.

Despite their best efforts, Wednesday found it difficult to break down Wolves' well-drilled defence. Some of their one touch football was pleasing on the eye but they lacked end product in the final third.

As the rain lashed down in the West Midlands, Wolves continued to dominate and Bright Enobakhare dragged an effort well wide after good play by fellow substitute Leo Bonatini.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was another fine piece of goalkeeping by Dawson with five minutes remaining when he rushed off his line to prevent Bonatini from racing on to Saiss's inviting pass.

However, Wednesday held out to claim a share of the spoils.

Wolves: Ruddy, Batth, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Douglas, Saiss, Neves, Costa (Enobakhare 73), Jota (Gibbs-White 87), Afobe (Bonatini 55). Substitutes: Norris, N’Diaye, Miranda, Hause.

Wednesday: Dawson, Venancio, Lees, Pudil, Thorniley, Pelupessy, Bannan, Reach, Forestieri, Joao (Matias 59), Nuhiu. Substitutes: Wildsmith, Baker, Jones, Rhodes, Boyd, Nielsen