Sheff Weds              (0) 0 Everton                 (2) 2 FT
                              Barmby 14
                              Gemmill 18

The sands of time now appear to be quickly running out for under-pressure Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Wilson after this 2-0 loss.

Wilson watched his rock-bottom side crash to their sixth FA Carling Premiership defeat of the season, and their fourth at Hillsborough as Everton became the latest side to rub salt into ever-deepening wounds.

The likeable Owls boss has yet to become the target of the fans' anger, as that privilege is currently being reserved for chairman Dave Richards.

Wednesday supporters believe Richards and his board should have done more to support Wilson in the transfer market to stop the rot which is spreading almost beyond control.

Richards, however, is not one to fall on his sword and so the feeling is that Wilson could have just three games remaining to turn things around.

A further defeat at Newcastle - where Ruud Gullit has already chosen to bite the bullet this season rather than wait for the gun to be fired - and a Worthington Cup exit at the hands of Second Division Stoke could be the final straws.

Such a fate is not beyond the realms of possibility, especially when you consider Wednesday were humbled by then Third Division Cambridge at the same stage and in the same competition last season.

But despite this latest setback, not all the signs are bad for Wilson as he watched his side give their most committed display of the season after several inept performances.

At least he will be able to point to the fact his players were able to create chances, although he will have been left shaking his head at the defending which led to the two goals.

Wednesday, though, just can't buy one at the moment as they drew a blank for the third successive match - even with Benito Carbone in the side.

The Italian started on the bench today, a decision which led to his dressing-room walkout at Southampton two weeks' ago, a fine of a fortnight's wages and a war of silence with Wilson.

The duo have yet to speak to one another since Carbone returned to training on Monday, with such friction surely doing little to aid Wednesday's perilous plight.

With a third of the game remaining, Carbone was introduced to more cheers than jeers, and there was even a consoling hug and pat on the shoulder from an assistant-referee as he took to the pitch.

But even his mercurial skills failed to alter the course of a game which had been taken out of Wednesday hands with the two goals in the space of three early first-half minutes.

If the Owls were looking for inspiration then Everton showed the way as the players clearly know how to put all the behind the scenes strife behind them.

The rumour mill continues to turn viciously at Goodison Park as chairman Peter Johnson remains silent on the thorny issue as to whether he will stay or go despite the offer of impressario Peter Kenwright.

Admittedly, Everton took the lead against the run of play, but they also showed Wednesday just how to take chances when they are presented.

David Unsworth's high 15th minute ball to the edge of the area was knocked down by Kevin Campbell, who bundled over covering central defender Emerson Thome in the process.

With Emerson prone, and with Francis Jeffers the intended target from Campbell's header having slipped, it was left to Nick Barmby to rifle home a 20-yard drive beyond Kevin Pressman for his second of the season.

The visitors then went 2-0 up three minutes later as Mitch Ward and Jeffers beautifully worked the overlap down the right wing.

The latter's cross was then met at the far post by Scot Gemmill for his first this campaign and with Wednesday's defence all at sea.

Wednesday's heads refused to go down, but their midfield lacked bite and although Carlton Palmer might not be a saviour, at least he will add steel should Wilson eventually clinch his signature from Nottingham Forest.

Gilles De Bilde again looked inventive while he was on - with Carbone his replacement - as he had two chances which went begging, while Andy Booth should have at least hit the target with a free header in the second half.

But then Everton also had the opportunities to make the scoreline a more flattering one with teenage star Jeffers and Campbell both bringing the best out of Pressman.

In the end it was a third win of the season for Everton as they lifted themselves into the top half of the table and with the basis on which to build for a promising future should the off-the-field wrangle finally be resolved.

As for Wilson and Wednesday the clock is ticking. The question is just how much time remains.

Sheff Weds: Pressman, Nolan, Thome, Walker, Briscoe, Sonner, Atherton, Rudi (O'Donnell, 46), Alexandersson (Donnelly, 64), De Bilde (Carbone, 64), Booth.

Subs not used: Srnicek, Newsome.

Booked: Donnelly, O'Donnell, Briscoe.

Everton: Gerrard, Weir, Gough, Watson, Unsworth, Barmby, Ward (Hutchison, 67), Gemmill, Pembridge (Xavier, 47), Jeffers (Collins, 79), Campbell.

Subs not used: Simonsen, Cadamarteri.

Booked: Collins.

Attendance: 23,539.

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).