Sheffield Wednesday have battled their way to a goalless draw with Swansea City in Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Hillsborough.
Chances were few and far between for both sides, with the best opportunity of the match falling to Swansea's Mike van der Hoorn, who was denied by a stunning save by Cameron Dawson.
The replay will take place at the Liberty Stadium in 10 or 11 days time, with the last time that either of these teams reached the last eight of this competition coming back in 1997.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in Yorkshire courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the FA Cup fifth round clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City. Most of the talk in the build-up has been about the returning Carlos Carvalhal but these two teams are just two wins away from a surprise place in the semi-finals of this competition. Let's see who features in the starting lineups...
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY XI: Dawson; Hunt, Venanico, Jones, Pudil, Fox; Boyd, Butterfield, Reach, Wallace; Nuhiu
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUBSTITUTES: Wildsmith, Loovens, Joao, Baker, Kirby, Pelupessy, Nielsen
SWANSEA CITY XI: Nordfeldt; Bartley, Mawson; Van Der Hoorn; Roberts, Carroll, Ki, Olsson; Narsingh, Routledge, Abraham
SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Mulder, Naughton, Fernandez, James, Clucas, Dyer, Ayew
Let's start with Swansea, with Carvalhal - as expected - making changes to his starting lineup. We'll start with the bench because the likes of Federico Fernandez, Sam Clucas and Jordan Syew have only been selected among the replacements.
Kristoffer Nordfeldt replaces Lukas Fabianski between the sticks - as he has done throughout this competition - while Connor Roberts is given another opportunity at wing-back. Kyle Bartley also lines up on the right side of what appears to be a three-man defence.
Carvalhal is unable to select the cup-tied Andy King and Andre Ayew, so Tom Carroll and Ki Sung-yueng take their places in the centre of midfield and Tammy Abraham is given another opportunity in attack, with Luciano Narsingh and Wayne Routledge in support.
Youngster Daniel James features on the bench for the Welsh side. James made his first-team debut in the fourth round replay with Notts County and managed to bag himself a goal.
As for Sheffield Wednesday, Luhukay has also made a number of alterations, including dropping Lucas Joao down to the substitutes' bench. Atdhe Nuhiu comes into the team in his place, although it is not a huge surprise with the 28-year-old having already netted three goals in this competition.
Luhukay has also opted to give another chance to deputy goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, who has also played two games in the previous rounds. The 22-year-old will be making just his seventh professional outing for the Owls.
Glenn Loovens finds himself on the bench, despite having impressed against Derby County in midweek. It appears that Luhukay is focused on improving his side's Championship form but the club do not really have a lot to play for in the coming months, aside from in this competition. Strange one.
Luhukay has also decided to include some youngsters on the bench. Ashley Baker and Connor Kirby are yet to make a senior outing for the Owls, while Frederik Nielsen and Joel Pelupessy have just two starts and four substitute outings in the league between them.
We cannot continue with this buildup without talking about Carvalhal. He may be working wonders at his new club but the Portuguese insists that he still remains a part of Sheffield Wednesday. Click here to see what he has had to say.
Carvalhal has also spoken about the progress that Wednesday have made since his departure. With Luhukay only losing one game, Carvalhal can be nothing but complimentary.
Frederico Venanico barely got a look in at Wednesday with Carvalhal in control, but the centre-back is now impressing in the Owls defence. Click here to read the 25-year-old's comments on his former boss.
Wednesday have reached this stage of the competition having been given two favourable draws. After needing a replay to get the better of Carlisle United, Luhukay watched on as his new side ran out 3-1 winners against Reading.
Wednesday are looking to reach the quarter-finals of this competition for the first time in 21 years. Since then, they have lost each of their last four matches at the last-16 stage.
You also have to go back further for the last time that Wednesday defeated a Premier League side in this competition. That came in the 1993 semi-final against neighbours Sheffield United. Seventeen matches against top-flight opposition have come and gone since then.
Sheffield Wednesday have improved since the arrival of Luhukay but the Owls have only registered three wins from eight attempts, with one of those successes coming against Carlisle. The Yorkshire club can take the positives but they still need to find a way of getting over the line against the top sides on a regular basis.
Earlier this week, however, that is something which they achieved. Derby County would have fancied their chances of getting something from their visit to Hillsborough but Lucas Joao's double helped Wednesday to a relatively comfortable success. Click here to read about that game.
As for Swansea, they haven't lost since January 2. They have managed to put together a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Yours truly was at the FA Cup third round tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Premier League side were fortunate to get a draw from that game but it acted as the catalyst for their recent run of results.
BREAKING NEWS! This doesn't look for Swansea. Mawson has picked up an injury in the warm-up and is being helped off the pitch. Nothing official yet but the defender surely won't be participating in this game.
Back to our build-up, and perhaps the most impressive statistic is that Swansea have not conceded more than one goal in each of those fixtures. Only three clean sheets have been recorded but it's an outstanding effort given the fact that they twice shipped four or more goals in December.
Now it's official. Mawson has been taken out of the starting lineup with Kyle Naughton coming into the team in his place. I'm not sure how the Welsh side will line up now. Fernandez appeared to be the most likely inclusion but maybe full-back Naughton will still be used in a back three? We will have to wait and see.
PREDICTION! Swansea have failed to get the job done in previous ties away at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Notts County and we are going to predict a similar occurrence here because we feel that this match has got 1-1 written all over it.
HEAD TO HEAD! Saturday's meeting represents just the 28th competitive match between the two sides, with Wednesday claiming 12 wins in comparison to five victories for Swansea.
Since 1984, there have been just four matches played, all of which came between 2008 and 2010. Three of those Championship fixtures ended in draws, with Swansea prevailing at Hillsborough in December 2009.
Three months later, the two clubs played out a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium. Angel Rangel, Leon Britton and Nathan Dyer were at Swansea back then, but none of the Sheffield Wednesday squad from March 2010 are still at the club.
It's time for the two teams to start making their way out at Hillsborough. Both sets of supporters have been anticipating this game for a couple of weeks and although neither side are at full strength, let's hope we still get an entertaining encounter.
A reminder of the two sides...
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY XI: Dawson; Hunt, Venanico, Jones, Pudil, Fox; Boyd, Butterfield, Reach, Wallace; Nuhiu
SWANSEA CITY XI: Nordfeldt; Naughton, Bartley, Van Der Hoorn; Roberts, Carroll, Ki, Olsson; Narsingh, Routledge, Abraham
KICKOFF! Wednesday get us underway
Swansea are already looking to use the pace of Abraham. A ball was played behind the Wednesday defence but Pudil was able to get back and head back to Dawson.
CHANCE! Wednesday almost take the lead! Butterfield's header inside finds the run of Reach and after advancing into the penalty area, the former Middlesbrough man has a shot across goal tipped wide by Nordfeldt.
The home side are controlling the opening stages of this game. Swansea seem prepared to sit back and play on the break, and it is leaving Wednesday to enjoy plenty of early possession.
Another cross is whipped into the middle by Wednesday with Boyd able to find Nuhiu but the striker's header from the penalty spot goes well wide of the far post.
We should also add that Naughton has indeed lined up on the right side of a back three, with Bartley moving into the centre. The late replacement doesn't look entirely comfortable.
Swansea are still not offering much in this game. Wednesday look very sharp and there is probably a strong desire to prove a point to their former manager. Nuhiu is causing all kinds of problems for the Swansea backline.
We've just seen a bit of a burst forward by the visitors but it was soon snuffed out by the Owls defence. Narsingh and Routledge need to provide more support for Abraham.
A section of the crowd are singing "Carvalhal's barmy army'. I'm assuming it's the Swansea fans. They won't be impressed with their team's efforts thus far.
Some brilliant play for Wednesday ends with a cross being delivered from the right flank and Nuhiu appears set to volley his side into the lead, but Naughton gets across to make the tackle.
For all of the fast-paced play from Wednesday and the last-ditch defending from Swansea, we are still lacking in chances. Swansea have done well to only let Wednesday have that one real opening through Reach.
More excellent play from Wednesday sees Boyd released behind the Swansea defence but the midfielder appears to cut short his run too early when the ball was running away from him. There are groans from the home faithful.
Swansea win a free kick around 45 yards out and spend a long time deliberating what to do. The end result? A poor cross which is headed clear.
From a territorial standpoint, Swansea are now spending more time in the Wednesday half but they are not offering much of a threat. The Premier League side have been very poor.
Wednesday are starting to resort to long balls towards Nuhiu. The target man is superb at holding up the ball but is the change in strategy a sign that Swansea are beginning to frustrate the hosts?
What Swansea are doing well is making the pitch as big as possible. The Wednesday midfield are spending more time chasing the ball and that is going to catch up with them at some point. Naughton gets a shot on goal but it's deflected wide of the far post.
Pudil looks to have a head injury but it isn't obvious how it came about. The defender just pushed Abraham at a corner and was fortunate not to give away a penalty.
Finally, Abraham offers a threat in this match. The Chelsea loanee accelerated down the right flank before crossing for Routledge, but the winger's goalbound shot was blocked by a defender.
We've got 10 minutes to go in the first half and it's safe to say that it has not been a classic. Wednesday had the better of the opening stages but they have slowly been forced to retreat back into their own half.
CHANCE! What a save from Dawson! Naughton's cross finds Van Der Hoorn all on his own around 10 yards out and his header appears destined for the top corner. However, the goalkeeper somehow manages to claw the ball over the bar.
Wednesday mount a response and force Roberts into making a mistake on his own byline. However, the Championship outfit don't make the most of the opening when getting the ball back into the penalty area.
The home side had the better of the opening stages and they are having the better of the closing period of the first half, too. They've found a second wind from somewhere.
Swansea have lost their way here. Passes are going astray in their defensive third and Wednesday are looking to put them under pressure. Still no more chances for the Owls but they are definitely the more ambitious of the two sides ahead of the break.
CHANCE! There will be one minute of added-on time. Wednesday have created a couple of corners in the last minute or so but the pressure ends when Reach's header goes over the bar.
HALF TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Swansea City
The half-time whistle goes at Hillsborough and we head into the break still on level terms. It has not been the best of games, but it has remained competitive and Wednesday will be pleased with their efforts so far. Swansea can probably go up a gear, however, and have more options on the bench.
Wednesday's best opportunity came during the early stages of the game when Reach - their best player - was given space to run into the penalty area but his shot across goal was tipped wide by Nordfeldt, who has not really had much else to do.
As for Swansea, their one real chance fell to Van Der Hoorn, who probably thought that he could not miss with a free header from 10 yards. However, Dawson - making just his seventh outing for Wednesday - produced a miraculous save. He appears to force the ball over the bar with his thumb.
As we have already mentioned, Swansea have the better options on the bench. We should expect to see Jordan Ayew at some point in the second half, while Naughton has had joy down the right and could be given more licence to go forward if Fernandez comes on to replace Roberts.
It's time for the two teams to start making their way back out at Hillsborough. No changes for either side.
KICKOFF! Swansea get us back underway.
Narsingh thinks that he is about get in front of Fox, who may make a small bit of contact with the winger. However, the Dutchman flung himself to the floor and the referee rightly decides against awarding a spot kick.
There's definitely more contact when Abraham takes a swipe at Hunt, who turns the forward. However, the referee opts against a yellow card.
Both teams are still struggling to get anything going at Hillsborough. There's not a lot of urgency, despite both clubs probably being against taking the tie to a replay.
SHOT! A long throw find the run of Reach, who continues to be the liveliest player on the pitch. However, his header from 14 yards is never threatening the goal.
Abraham does well to get away from Pudil and he manages to get the ball to Narsingh. However, not for the first time, the Dutchman is poor on the ball and the chance goes begging.
Swansea have been munch better over the past few minutes. Passes and crosses are being delivered into the box but the Wednesday defence are doing an effective job in preventing the ball finding Abraham.
A number of Swansea substitutes have started to warm up but Carvalhal may be willing to wait before making any changes. His side have Wednesday pressed back into their own half.
More of the same from the visitors but they are being met by a Wednesday brick wall. Van Der Hoorn just missed the chance to get a shot away from just inside of the penalty area.
CHANCE! Back come Wednesday with Boyd getting a cross in from the left, but Nuhiu's header is weak and straight at Nordfeldt.
SUBSTITUTION! Unsurprisingly, Narsingh is the first player to be withdrawn by Swansea. Dyer is on in his place.
BOOKING! The first yellow of the game goes to Van Der Hoorn, who is rightly booked after catching Hunt.
SUBSTITUTION! A second Swansea switch sees Ayew replace Abraham.
SHOT! Jones is caught on the ball around 50 yards out and it leads to Ayew being able to get a shot away from distance, only for his weak effort to be too close to Dawson.
SUBSTITUTION! It's Wednesday's turn to make a change with Pelupessy replacing Butterfield.
SHOT! Routledge gets a glimmer of an opening after weaving his way into the penalty area but his effort is deflected wide for a corner.
SHOT! I get the impression that Carvalhal does not want a replay. Swansea have started to push men forward and again, Ayew is involved. His shot is better than his last effort but Dawson does not have to do much to keep out his 20-yard shot.
For the first time in the match, we are beginning to see a gulf in class between the sides. Swansea are spraying the ball about for fun and Wednesday have retreated into their shell.
Is Roberts a lucky boy here? Wallace appears to flick out at the youngster as he's about to take a throw-in and Roberts brings his foot back and appears to stamp Wallace in the stomach. That will definitely be assessed by the Football Association.
SHOT! Wednesday finally get the ball back up the other end with Nuhiu twisting and turning inside of the penalty area before seeing Nordfeldt keep out his shot at the near post.
SUBSTITUTION! A final change for Swansea sees Clucas introduced for Olsson.
SUBSTITUTION! Now Wednesday are making another alteration with Joao replacing Wallace, who had just been booked.
I'm expecting Swansea to lay siege to Wednesday's goal in the final 10 minutes. Swansea have already played two replays this season and I'm sure that Carvalhal does not want a third extra game.
BOOKING! Reach is the second Wednesday man to be booked after a cynical trip on Ki on the halfway line.
The home supporters have started to cheer when their side win a free kick. I think they are starting to settle for a draw and a trip to a Premier League ground for a replay.
Three minutes to go and it's the Wednesday's fans who are in full voice. Given the strength of Luhukay's starting lineup, they appear pleasantly surprised that their team are still well in this. I'm not so sure that we are going to see many more shots on goal.
SHOT! As I say that, Dyer attempts a speculative strike from distance but the ball trickles wide of the far post. It's been that kind of game.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
Joao is putting himself about a bit in the Wednesday attack but all of his best work is too far away from goal.
CHANCE! Reach is released into the penalty area but rather than try his luck from an acute angle, he fails to find Joao with his pass, although his teammate was offside anyway.
FULL TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Swansea City
The full-time whistle goes at Hillsborough and we have ended goalless, which is no surprise to anyone. It turned out to be one of those games and the two teams will have to do it all over again in South Wales in 10 or 11 days' time.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
