Connor Wickham's 24th-minute free kick has proved enough for Sheffield Wednesday to register a slender 1-0 half-time lead over Watford at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets, who are bidding for their first victory in eight Championship games, will have to come from behind to avoid a nine-game barren spell after Wickham's inch-perfect free kick sailed past goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.

Gianfranco Zola thought that he had watched his team draw level six minutes prior to the break when Ikechi Anya slotted home from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Owls keeper Damian Martinez produced a double-save in the closing stages of the half to ensure parity at the break, first to deny Anya, before the Arsenal loanaee replicated his heroics to keep out Sean Murray.