Sheffield Wednesday gave their first division survival hopes a tremendous
boost with this comfortable win over fellow strugglers Walsall at Bescot
Stadium.
The Owls were the better side from start to finish, thoroughly deserved the
points, and leap-frogged the Saddlers to climb out of the relegation zone.
To add to Walsall's misery they had central defender David Holdsworth sent off
for his second bookable offence in the second half.
So it was a nightmare start for Walsall's new signings - Martin O'Connor and
striker Marcelo.
They were booked for fouls in the first three minutes by fussy referee Rob
Styles, although O'Connor could have no complaint about his caution for a late
tackle.
O'Connor and Marcelo were signed from the Blues this week, but neither made a
great deal of impact and the Wednesday defence was rock-steady with keeper Paul
Heald, on loan from Wimbledon, making several important saves.
A vital one came in the 29th minute when he pushed away a drive from Tom
Bennett, but, as Wednesday switched onto the attack, they were unlucky in the
28th minute when Efan Ekoku chipped the home keeper only to see Darren Wrack
clear off the line.
Walsall's only excuse for a poor showing was the fourth-minute injury to
defender Ian Brightwell which caused them to reshuffle, but the Owls were
superior in most departments.
It was no surprise when the visitors took a 32nd-minute lead, Ekoku heading in
from close range when Steve Haslam's corner was flicked on.
Heald made another fine save from Bennett to deny Walsall just before
half-time and, as the home side pushed forward in the second half, O'Connor had
a fierce drive blocked.
Walsall picked up six yellow cards and Holdsworth was sent off in the 72nd
minute for his second offence, a foul on Ekoku.
With him went Walsall's last hope and with 11 minutes left Shefki Kuqi headed
in an Alan Quinn corner.
Then for good measure substitute Gerald Sibon added a third for the visitors
with a clever free kick in the last minute.
Teams:
Walsall: Walker, Brightwell (Herivelto 5), Carbon, Holdsworth,
Aranalde, Wrack, Bennett, O'Connor, Matias (Keates 73), Leitao,
Marcelo, Herivelto (Byfield 82).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Roper.
Sent Off: Holdsworth (73).
Booked: O'Connor, Holdsworth, Carbon, Aranalde.
Sheff Wed: Heald, Haslam, Crane, Maddix, Geary,
Hamshaw (Donnelly 82), Soltvedt, Quinn, Johnson, Kuqi,
Ekoku (Sibon 82).
Subs Not Used: Bonvin, Gibson, Roberts.
Booked: Geary, Haslam.
Goals: Ekoku 32, Kuqi 79, Sibon 90.
Att: 8,290
Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).
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