Sheffield Wednesday virtually guaranteed their First Division survival with a comprehensive win over struggling Crystal Palace.

The Owls had to come from behind after an early setback, Clinton Morrison having put Palace into the lead from close range on two minutes.

Wednesday levelled the scores through Efan Ekoku just before the half-hour mark before Gilles de Bilde put the home side into the lead.

Palace were thrown a lifeline just before half-time after Gerald Sibon was alleged to have brought down Dean Austin. But the Palace skipper's weak penalty was well saved by Owls goalkeeper Kevin Pressman.

Wednesday then took a 3-1 lead through Sibon to put the game further beyond Palace's reach.

Stuart Ripley extended the score in the second half to leave Wednesday needing just two more points to reach the 50 mark.

Palace could not have got off to a better start when Craig Harrison's through-ball found Hayden Mullins with acres of space on the right wing.

The midfielder's curling effort hit the foot of the Owls post only for Morrison to tap in the rebound.

Palace went close to doubling their lead minutes later, Fan Zhiyi firing a 25-yard free-kick wide of the target.

Wednesday pulled themselves back on level terms when Trond Soltvedt's cross was headed down by Sibon to Ekoku, who nodded the ball past Palace keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko.

Wednesday took the lead on 32 minutes, Ekoku this time the provider to de Bilde. The Belgian international put the ball onto his left foot before driving a low 12-yard shot in off the keeper's left-hand post.

Minutes later Palace were awarded the penalty only for Pressman to dive well to his right to leave the Owls still with the goal advantage.

After the break Palace looked to get back into the game and David Hopkin's fierce effort deflected wide for a corner. But it was the home side who went on to score and made sure of the three points.

Sibon latched on to a Ripley pass before cutting inside the Palace defence and firing a low effort into the bottom left-hand corner from 20 yards.

On 52 minutes Mullins' run and low drive forced Pressman to tip the ball wide for a corner before Hopkins' fierce drive deflected wide for a corner.

But as the visitors pressed further it was the home side who went on to score on 63 minutes.

Sibon was again involved as his free-kick was met by the glancing header of Ripley to leave Kolinko with no chance.

It was Ripley's first goal for the Owls on his full debut after his loan move from Southampton last month.

The former England international went close to adding a fifth Owls goal but Kolinko saved from point-blank range.

Late on Hopkins was denied his first goal for Palace with a brilliant reaction save from Pressman.

Palace were handed a lifeline in the 35th minute when they were awarded a penalty - but Dean Austin could not convert the spot-kick.

And Wednesday punished the visitors when Sibon smashed home the third on the stroke of half-time.

Teams

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Haslam (Lescott 65), Walker, Harkness, Palmer, Ripley (Morrison 85), Sibon, Soltvedt, Bromby, Ekoku, De Bilde (Di Piedi 76).

Subs Not Used: Stringer, Geary.

Booked: Ekoku, De Bilde, Walker, Palmer.

Goals: Ekoku 26, De Bilde 32, Sibon 45, Ripley 64.

Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Smith (Black 68), Austin, Zhiyi, Harrison, Mullins, Hopkin, Fuller (Freedman 68), Rodger, Morrison (Forssell 77), Riihilahti.

Subs Not Used: Berhalter, Thomson.

Booked: Hopkin, Harrison, Fuller.

Goals: Morrison 2.

Att: 19,877

Ref: M Cowburn (Blackpool).