The Owls scored twice through Michael Smith to win out 2-0, a scoreline that reflected a performance that extended their unbeaten league run to 12 matches.
Only a ‘goal scored’ prevents them from ending 2022 in the automatic places as they outfought their visitors and sent them packing.
Here are our player ratings for Wednesday after they signed off on 2022 with a Hillsborough win.
. A win to end the year..
..but who fared best and who faded as the Owls faced up to a battle against Vale? Let's take a look.. Photo: .
. Cameron Dawson - 7
Out smartly just after the break to snuff out an understated little chance for the visitors. Carries himself confidently and looked in no bother under high balls. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
. Liam Palmer - 7
Got forward with more regularity, especially early doors, and looked confident defensively. Just always seems to be in the right place these days and seems to have taken on a role as senior man in the Owls defence proudly. A couple of loose touches in the second half caused no issue. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
. Mark McGuinness - 8
Did enough to put Harrison off with a guilt-edged chance on half an hour and once again just looked a really classy customer both with the ball and without. His last-gasp tackle to deny Harrison after the hour was the work of a defender that is better than this division. Photo: UGC / Steve Ellis
. Reece James - 8
Has real quality on the ball and showed it from the off. Coped with what Vale had to throw at him down that left channel. Made a vital, full-throttle challenge to stop a decent Vale attack on the hour. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
5. Reece James - 8
Has real quality on the ball and showed it from the off. Coped with what Vale had to throw at him down that left channel. Made a vital, full-throttle challenge to stop a decent Vale attack on the hour. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
6. Alex Mighten - 5
Looked determined to run at his opposite man from the outset and did so, though he ran into a couple of dead ends to lose the ball. A darting run and stand-up cross for Smith was one of the best bits of attacking play we've seen from him. More consistency needed across the outing. Photo: UGC / Steve Ellis
7. George Byers - 8
Broke things up nicely and seemed to step himself up a touch in the absence of Bannan. Good in the air and battling on the deck and showed no little quality on the ball, sliding passes forward positively. Maybe looked just a touch leggy in the latter stages. Generally good at footy. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis
8. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru - 6
Made a darting run that drew the yellow card foul of Garrity. Toyed with Hall a couple of minutes later. Drifted in and out a wee bit. Photo: UGC/Steve Ellis