Mooy’s dazzling start
SOCCEROO Aaron Mooy produced a world-class goal and ensured his place in the annals of 109-year-old Huddersfield Town by scoring its first Premier League goal at Kirklees Stadium.
Mooy followed up last week’s emphatic Premier League debut at Crystal Palace with another manof-the-match performance, leaving Huddersfield equal top with Manchester United and the Australian in contention for signing of the season.
Huddersfield won 1-0 at home to Newcastle United, which was among the clubs that bid for Mooy in the off-season, but it was a double-whammy for Magpies manager Rafa Benitez, who’s lamenting the lack of signings.
It may have been among the biggest transfers in Australian soccer history but Mooy showed why his $16.2 million move from Manchester City could prove the shrewdest buy.
Mooy bossed the game with a complete midfield display, headlined by the game’s decisive moment that will be deemed among the goals of the season come May. Terriers boss David Wagner paid tribute to his “reluctant hero”.
“Aaron doesn’t say much or smile a lot but he is very happy and proud,’’ Wagner said.
“He deserves all the credit for the goal but also for his performance. He has great technical ability and defensive qualities. He’s very unusual and that’s why I like this player.”
Mooy book-ended the stunning strike, starting the passage from the middle and spreading the ball wide before retrieving it and playing a clever one-two with Elias Kachunga, before unleashing a stunning strike from outside the area that curled into the top right corner.
“It’s hard to describe. It’s a special goal, the club’s first home Premier League goal so I’m very proud,’’ Mooy said.
“It’s a great start, but we can’t get carried away, it’s only early.”
Mathew Leckie capped his Hertha Berlin debut with both goals in the 2-0 win over Stuttgart. Tom Rogic bagged two assists in Celtic’s 2-0 win at Kilmarnock while Ajdin Hrustic made his first Eredivisie start for Groningen, though he came off just before halftime.