Palace stalemate makes it four draws in a row

Wednesday made it four draws in a row after a disappointing 0-0 result at home to Crystal Palace. The Owls have now gone seven games unbeaten, but manager Terry Yorath knows all too well that they have to start turning those draws into three-pointers.

Gerald Sibon did in fact play half of the game, despite having sustained suspected knee ligament damage on the weekend. But the tall Dutchman couldn't inspire anything infront of goal, as the Owls left the field at half-time and full-time to an echo of jeering from a frustrated home faithful.

However, the point has lifted the Owls out of the bottom three in the meantime. Yorath admitted the performance was probably the worst of the season so far, and yet they still got a result out of the game.

This report from the BBC Football website: Sheffield Wednesday had to settle for a fourth successive league draw in a disappointing goalless First Division encounter at Hillsborough. The Owls showed more ambition in the second half but they still found it difficult to create many clear-cut chances.

Palace looked a shadow of the team which scored three goals in an entertaining draw with Watford on Saturday, but a point will be more pleasing for boss Trevor Francis, who used to play for and manage Wednesday. The Eagles suffered an injury blow in the 22nd minute when Steven Thomson had to be replaced by Aki Riihilahti.

The visitors improved as the half progressed and produced the first chance in the 30th minute when Wayne Routledge forced a wonderful fingertip save from Kevin Pressman. The Owls goalkeeper also calmly collected the ball from the resulting corner, a dangerous inswinger from Danny Butterfield.

Wednesday responded with an effort from striker Shefki Kuqi, who fired wide from 20 yards. Routledge surged forward in the 42nd minute before delivering a deep dangerous centre. However, Andrew Johnson could only direct his header at a Wednesday defender and the ball was cleared.

In the 45th minute Sibon blasted his 20-yard effort wide, before Johnson's 18-yard drive was saved by Pressman.

Half-time: Owls 0-0 Palace

Leon Knight drifted in from the left flank after half-time and unleashed a shot for Wednesday which just cleared the bar. Team-mate Alan Quinn also threatened, but his shot drifted wide in the 51st minute. Palace slowly came back into the game and Dele Adebola flashed a shot just wide of the upright in the 60th minute, before Riihilahti blasted an ambitious effort over the bar. Quinn was much more menacing in the second period and another quick break resulted a stinging shot which had to be parried by goalkeeper Alex Kolinko. Back