Huddersfield relegated after defeat at Palace
THE symmetry of it all was inescapable. Huddersfield’s first Premier League game was at Selhurst Park 15 months ago.
Under David Wagner’s tutelage they won 3-0 that day, fans wide-eyed and bursting with optimism — almost as if they were dreaming it all. An afternoon etched into the hearts of the Terriers faithful.
Football, particularly in the Premier League, comes at you quickly, however.
Huddersfield’s second top-flight visit to Selhurst Park was just as unforgettable.
Back in south London, where their dreams became a reality, Huddersfield waved goodbye to the big show – their loss to Crystal Palace courtesy of Luka Milivojevic’s penalty and Patrick van Aanholt’s strike condemning Jan Siewert’s side to relegation after Burnley and Southampton won their respective matches.
It has been a long time coming, of course. Three wins all season tells its own story. It doesn’t make the pain any less harrowing, however. Those balmy days back in August 2017 a distant memory.
Their crestfallen players, utterly dejected, just stared into space as news of their fate filtered through.
With Fulham all-but down as well it means a few Irish players will have an uncomfortable end to the season. As it stands, Cardiff (Harry Arter and Greg Cunningham) are 18th on 28 points and they host Chelsea today.
Burnley (Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick), Southampton (Shane Long, and Michael Obafemi) and Brighton (Shane Duffy) are all on 33 points. Ahead of them, Newcastle (Ciaran Clark) are next in line on 35.
Southampton needed just a goal from Pierre Hojbjerg on 53 minutes to win at Chris Hughton’s Brighton.
The Seagulls boss was annoyed that his opposite number Ralph Hasenhuttl jumped around in celebration before the final whistle and then carried on after it, before finally shaking the Irishman’s hand.
Hasenhuttl later apologised and Hughton accepted that and added: ‘It’s an emotional game and the emotions are as high when you win as when you lose.’
Sean Dyche saw his Burnley side beat Wolves 2-0 thanks to two contrasting goals – an early Conor Coady own goal and a superb individual effort by young Dwight McNeil, probably their player of the season.
Given that they had a mere 12 points at Christmas, Dyche and his players deserve enormous credit for how they have turned the situation around.
‘I’m really pleased how we’ve tuned in since Christmas,’ said Dyche. ‘It’s a strange situation really. The mentality is strong enough.’