Straight from the referees whistle Crystal Palace made their intentions clear, bearing down on Chris Kirkland's area - Zaha taking the ball on a lightening paced run, passing to Bolasi who in turn provided a cross to Glenn Murray, leaving the striker to slot home from 4 yards out. 30 seconds on the clock and the Owls were 1-0 down.
Far from letting chins drop, the away side fought straight back, forcing a corner kick which saw Rhys McCabe's dead ball cleared. The game was suddenly end to end as Mark Beevers did well to clear a Bolasi cross, leading to a counter which saw the majestic Antonio turn in the box and rifle a left footed shot which Palace's GK, Speroni did well to tip wide. A succession of corners followed but the home side we're resilient and found a way to clear each one. The away fans had an early chance to sing a crowd favourite chant as a Bolasi counter attack was thwarted by Jose Somedo - cue 2'500+ Wednesday fans in unison singing "He's magic, you know - you'll never get passed Semedo!". The home side were hoping to put a poor start to the campaign behind them and their work rate and closing down were brilliant, and with the impressive Bolasi a real threat Palace were always in with a shout. It was he who skimmed past Lewis Buxton to fire a shot inches wide. The midfield duo of McCabe & Semedo were settling the game down well when a break from Palace lead to a spectacular overhead kick by the lively Bolasi - a lucky break for the Owls as he missed. Daniel Jones crossed a deep ball to O'Grady who's shot was deflected for yet another corner, dealt with by Garvan - but leading to Rodri firing a 25 yard effort just wide after skipping away from a challenge. As we reached 25mins, both sides were losing possession quickly and needlessly, leading to a scrappy part of the game. Wednesday's best outlet was through Antonio who is never afraid to set off on a run. As much as SWFC has Antonio as their best attacking option, Palace had Bolasi and the impressive Zaha, who was leading Daniel Jones all over the left. Rodri showed what class being a Barcelona player brings with sublime ball control, but in the same move his shot was sliced wide - a good chance gone begging. Bolasi was doing to Lewis Buxton what Zaha was to Jones, whilst the other Owls winger Johnson wasn't particularly in the game. A shot from Miguel Llera caught Palace off guard and was deflected onto the crossbar, leading to a late corner which as the 1st half trend had become, lead to nothing. Just before the whistle a JJ run and cross lead to a Rodri effort that Palace did well to scramble clear.
HT Analysis: JJ needs to get in the and more, Buxton and Jones need either subbing or a serious talking to and we need to make all the corners count. Half time snack was a chicken and stuffing sandwich - good snack!
Crystal Palace were again quick out of the blocks and a Garvan free kick almost leads to their second goal, but was headed over. The commentators pick this moment to have a conversation about Gary Madine's new haircut (on the bench) ... wasn't expecting that! Wednesday are pressing for an early equaliser and a corner is the result of a quick break, as it's cleared Llera puts the ball back into the mix and as the line is bundled over the line, Michail Antonio pulls away in celebration. The away side need to put pressure on Delaney in the heart of the Palace defence as he seems to e the weak link. It was him who gave a free kick away 30 yards out for a foul on Rodri, with Llera stood over the ball. With a swing of his left boot he swung the ball passed the wall but Speroni did well to save. Selhurst Park was then filled with the classic 'E-I-E-I-E-I-O' chat as Wednesday were in the ascendancy. Blushes of the Palace forward, Murray were spared as a linesman flag waves as he was through on goal and swiped at the ball, making a complete hash of the attempt at goal. Another test for Kirkland as a Garvan free kick results in Delaney heading straight at him, either side and Palace have the lead again. As Michail Antonio breaks on a lively attack, he collides with the overlapping JJ and the move ends and Antonio is understandably dazed. The home side were trying everything to gain the advantage now, claiming a back pass as 3 Owls defenders close out Goodwillie. Then a Zaha dive in the box, to try to win a penalty had Wednesday fans in uproar. On the 70th minute, it seemed the home fans' booing of the referee for not giving decisions their way, paid off. Glenn Murray was expertly tackled by Mark Beevers, halting a promising attack but the referee blew his whistle. Penalty?! A Chris Kirkland protest saw the referee consult his linesman and eventually over rule his penalty decision. The incensed home fans started with the chant "You don't know what you're doing" as the away fans celebrated the decision. A bizzare moment then occurred as in the protest, a Palace player went nose-to-nose with Semedo! After resuming play, Palace were forcing the Owls into unnecessary mistakes, cheap free kicks and losing possession easily. When Bolasi was subbed for young Williams for the Eagles, Wednesday would be excused for thinking the main threat had gone. Daniel Jones' tormentor was still on the field though and it was Zaha's cross, after turning Jones inside out which changed the outcome of the game. His cross wasn't dealt with by Llera and Murray had his second goal of the game in the 83rd minute. There goes my bet of a 1-3 Wednesday win. The home side then 'parked the bus' with men behind the ball, closing the game out thwarting any Wednesday move. They wound the clock down professionally with the ball in the corner areas until the whistle.
Sheffield Wednesday's unbeaten run under Dave Jones comes to an end in the capital. A point that stuck in my mind after the game was our set piece setup, Llera taking the kicks instead of being on the end of them - maybe something that needs addressing.
Attendance: 14'043
Man of the Match (mine): Antonio
(Blog was typed at Manvers Lake - check that view!)
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