Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United. Sky Bet Championship.
HillsboroughAttendance27,516.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Hillsborough
Saturday 26 October 2019 19:02, UK
Keiren Westwood and Kiko Casilla stole the show in a thrilling 0-0 draw between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds at Hillsborough
Wednesday were the better side in a cagey first half but 'keeper Westwood was the hero in stoppage-time when his outstanding diving save denied Patrick Bamford a first goal since August.
Leeds were again denied after Jack Harrison's shot was cleared off the line and Ezgjan Alioski hit the post, before Casilla turned hero with an fingertip save from Kadeem Harris' curling effort and Atdhe Nuhiu's close-range header.
The draw sees Leeds remain in second and the hosts stay third as both teams failed to steal top spot from West Brom.
Wednesday were dealt a blow before kick-off as Julian Borner rolled his ankle in the warm-up and Sam Hutchinson took his place at centre-back.
But the Owls looked unfazed by the late change in personnel, and had the better moments of the first 45 minutes in which Liam Palmer's long-range effort forced some good goalkeeping from Casilla.
While Leeds had failed to make any real impact on the game, they should have had the lead before half-time only for a fantastic diving save by Westwood to deny Bamford's headed effort that looked destined for the bottom corner.
Steven Fletcher then went inches from opening the scoring as the game came to life in the second half, when his thunderous effort struck the bar, and the striker had his head in his hands again 10 minutes later after failing to tap Barry Bannon's whipped cross into an open goal.
While Leeds struggled to find their rhythm a flurry of chances almost saw them steal the win. First, Harrison's shot was blocked on the line by a sliding Morgan Fox, and Alioski struck the post from the following corner.
Five minutes from time, Casilla refused to be shown up by his opposite number, leaping to deny Harris' cross that was heading into the top corner, before saving smartly from Nuhiu whose powerful header almost won the game.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Gary Monk: "I could see the ability to compete, that determination about us, fighting for each other every week, (it) had to improve, and today was probably the highest in terms of that.
"As I said to the players at the end, it's all part of fighting for that standard. It's what we try and push every day, and can you push that in the games as well."
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa: "In the first half we played better and although we controlled the match, they had the chances.
"In the second half, the match changed. Sometimes they commanded, imposing their style on us at certain moments, sometimes we did. It was the kind of match you can win or lose."
It was going to take a special performance to wrestle the man-of-the-match award away from either goalkeeper, but White was brilliant in both defence and attack. As Leeds take away an unlikely point, they can consider themselves lucky White kept his calm as Wednesday took control. He could have won a penalty were it not for his honestly and desire to stay on his feet.
Wednesday face a trip to Blackburn next Saturday while Leeds host QPR at Elland Road.
