Owls and Bluebirds share goalless draw at Hillsborough

Posted Sunday, January 21, 2018 by PA

Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff fought out a goalless draw at Hillsborough.

There were chances for both sides, with Wednesday strikers Jordan Rhodes and Lucas Joao both spurning opportunities to score while Yanic Wildschut and Marko Grujic went close for the visitors.

The result leaves Wednesday with just one victory from their last 12 Sky Bet Championship games.

Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay, taking charge of his first home league game, handed a start to Jordan Thorniley. The young defender was making his debut after spending time on loan at Accrington earlier this season.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock gave a debut to Grujic after signing the Serbian midfielder on loan from Liverpool. Wildschut, on loan from Norwich, made his full debut for the Bluebirds.

Wildschut had a shot deflected over and then saw his first-time effort saved by Joe Wildsmith after being found in space on the left-hand side of the area by Junior Hoilett.

Cardiff’s Kenneth Zohore also threatened with a strong burst into the area before seeing his angled effort kept out by Wildsmith.

At the other end, Ross Wallace put a rising shot over from distance.

Grujic fired in a 25-yard shot which was well saved by Wildsmith, who pushed the ball wide.

Rhodes had a good chance to put Wednesday ahead when a David Jones free-kick found him unmarked in a central position, but he put his header over.

The hosts had another great opening moments later when Joao slipped a delightful ball through to Rhodes, whose shot was kept out by keeper Neil Etheridge and Adam Reach, following up, failed to hit the target.

Early in the second period, Joe Ralls put a low shot wide for Cardiff.

The home side then enjoyed a good spell with Joao failing to make the most of two good opportunities. He dragged his shot wide after Rhodes played the ball through to him inside the area and then put a header straight at Etheridge from a Rhodes cross.

The impressive Wildschut went close with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area with the ball going a fraction wide of Wildsmith’s left-hand post.

The Wednesday keeper was called into action to save from Ralls at his near post.

Etheridge had to be alert to claim the ball at the feet of substitute Marco Matias as he looked to get on the end of an incisive pass from Joao.

Wednesday made a double substitution with Atdhe Nuhiu and George Boyd coming on in place of Joao and Wallace.

Bennett saw his close-range effort deflected wide late on.