Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Leeds: Yorkshire derby ends in stalemate

By Jonny Chick / ImoLeeds

Leeds United made it three matches unbeaten after they drew 0-0 with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Marcelo Bielsa named an unchanged starting 11 to the side that drew away 1-1 away at Preston on Tuesday, however, we did see the return of defender and club captain Liam Cooper who replaced Barry Douglas on the bench.

Sheffield Wednesday made a bright start to the game and came close to scoring 14 minutes in. Full-back Liam Palmer latched onto a loose ball to fire a shot towards goal, but Kiko Casilla was behind it to make a strong save.

Leeds responded to the early Wednesday pressure though, and they would've felt hard done by on 19 minutes when referee Tim Robinson waved off penalty claims after Nuhiu brought down Ben White in the box.

As the first-half progressed Leeds began to take control of the game, though Steven Fletcher did force Casilla into making a birlliant fingertip save after getting a shot off after a neat one-two with Nuhiu.

The visitors almost scored just before half-time when Jack Harrison's delightful cross from the left found Patrick Bamford five-yards out, but his header was saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Keiran Westwood to make sure it was goalless heading into the break.

Leeds created the first opportunity of the second half when after patient build up play Harrison laid the ball off to Kalvin Phillips on the edge of the box, but his curling effort went just wide of the far right hand post.

The Whites would've felt as though they had got away with one just eight minutes into the second half after Fletcher's first time strike from just inside the penalty area cannoned off the crossbar, hit Casilla in the back and then rolled out for a corner.

With the rain poring heavily the game became a very scrappy affair with both sides giving away possession. However, Leeds managed to create two of their best chances. After brilliant work from half-time substitute Eddie Nketiah, he teed up Harrison who's shot was blocked on the line. Moments later, Alioksi's leaping header rattled the woodwork.

However, Sheffield Wednesday finished the game stronger and came close to finding a winning goal when Nuhiu’s header from a corner was saved well by Casilla from point blank range.

The game did end up finishing goalless - the first time these sides have drawn 0-0 in a league meeting since April 1969. It's also only the second goalless draw for Leeds while under Bielsa.

A point for both sides means that Leeds remain in second place with Sheffield Wednesday still one point behind them in third.

Match information

Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

12:30 Saturday 26th September 2019

Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Westwood, Palmer, Iorfa, Hutchinson, Fox, Reach, Pelupessy (Lee 84), Bannan, Harris, Nuhiu (Forestieri 86), Fletcher. Unused Subs: Winnall, Thorniley, Murphy, Odubajo, Dawson.

Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Casilla, Ayling, White, Berardi, Dallas, Alioksi, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Bamford (Nketiah 45), Costa (Cooper 76). Unused Subs: Roberts, Miazek, Gotts, Davis, Clarke.

Referee: Tim Robinson