Owls save some hope
A STUNNING spot-kick save by Keiren Westwood kept Sheffield Wednesday’s survival bid afloat.
They say it’s the hope that kills you.
But without the Irish keeper’s agility just before the break even that would have been completely lost at Hillsborough, with a defeat condemning Darren Moore’s side to their third relegation to League One in 18 brutal years.
But Derby’s reverse at Swansea has given the Owls a lifeline. All eyes are now focused on a final-day shoot-out. Defeat the Rams on Saturday and Wednesday could stay up – though as things stand Rotherham can still send both clubs down.
Yesterday it was all about the home side trying to rise above the tension and fallout of Thai owner Dejphon Chansiri’s reign, including seeing two bosses – Garry Monk and Tony
Pulis – sacked this season.
It’s been left to Moore, enticed from Doncaster in March, and assistant Jamie Smith, to carry the can.
With Moore still at home feeling the effects of Covid19, it was Smith here in charge of what could have been the last rites. The
Owls assistant said: “There were a lot of nerves. Maybe the occasion got to us.
“We were a bit frantic with the ball. But we still had chances. We wanted the three points and didn’t get them. It was a great penalty save from Keiren which gave us some hope.”
With nerves gripping the Owls there had been little adventure in a cagey opening in which Forest, free from any relegation worries, carried the greater threat, with Anthony Knockaert to the fore.
The French winger, on loan from Fulham, looked like he had set up Forest to score when upended by Westwood – who had been left in trouble by a weak Adam Reach back-header.
It was to be the last piece of action in a first half devoid of chances and despite Westwood’s protests, no doubt sensing his side’s hopes were going down the drain, referee Tim Robinson awarded a spot-kick.
Westwood then cut out the chat and composed himself on the line as Lewis Grabban took on the role of would-be executioner.
But Westwood flung himself to the left to palm away the kick to safety.
Wednesday ended the game with a flourish, substitute Jordan Rhodes twice going close and Brice Samba saving brilliantly from Josh Windass.
Forest boss Chris Hughton said: “I felt we were more likely to score – but we were against a team fighting for their lives.”
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Westwood 8; Palmer 7, Hutchinson 7, Borner 6; Paterson 7, Bannon 7, Pelupessy 6, Harris 6, Reach 6; Green (Rhodes 56, 7), Windass 7.
Unused subs: Wildsmith, Dele-Bashiru, Urhoghide, Dunkley, Shaw, Hunt, Brennan, Kachunga. NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Samba 7; Christie 7, Worrall 7, McKenna 6, Ribeiro 6; Yates 6, Garner 6; Knockaert 7, Cafu 6 (Mighten 66, 6), Krovinovic 6; Grabban 6 (Taylor 74, 6).
Unused subs: Smith, Soh, Colback, Bong, Jenkinson, Dawson, Murray.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Keiren Westwood. Might never make a more important save than the penalty stop to deny Lewis Grabban.
REFEREE: Tim Robinson 7.