Sheer ferocity gives Huddersfield hope
HUDDERSFIELD’S downward spiral had been so steep that it took a show of sheer ferocity to shake them out of it.
Capitulation had appeared more likely than salvation but yesterday they fought through their malaise with a furious display, and Bournemouth buckled.
Visiting manager Eddie Howe claimed afterwards that his ‘complacent’ players had been overawed by the crowd, but Huddersfield beat them with the basics, and scored more goals in one afternoon than they had in their previous eight.
Steve Mounie battered the Bournemouth back three, assisting Alex Pritchard’s opener before scoring and having a second taken off him after the match by the Premier League, who declared it an own goal by Steve Cook.
Jonathan Hogg’s tenacity was too much for young Lewis Cook in midfield, and Aaron Mooy delivered ammunition exquisitely before departing in the 76th minute on a stretcher with a deep cut over his left knee.
‘We said in the preparation that it’s time to believe and fight,’ said Huddersfield manager David Wagner. ‘The whole town has to fight if we want to survive. The support was outstanding. It should never drop. It shouldn’t depend on where you are in the table.
‘This was a massive game. In the dressing room at Old Trafford last week we said, “The difficult fixtures are behind us” and it was time to build positive momentum.’
After five straight defeats Huddersfield were in the bottom three for the first time this season, but what a response this was.
It would be too easy to say Bournemouth were merely obliging guests. Their back three were too high, and Howe watched the shameful gifting of goals, but Huddersfield were ruthless.
The opener came after seven minutes, Mounie embarrassing Simon Francis — whose positioning meant dealing with Scott Malone’s routine long ball became an impossibility — and squaring for Pritchard. The £ 10million midfielder, who could surpass Mounie as their record signing if clauses are met, cleverly shuffled his feet and swept in.
‘A handful,’ according to Wagner. ‘He always wanted the ball in tight spaces. Such a talent.’
Bournemouth struck back wonderfully and threatened to hit their stride. Jordon Ibe threaded to Ryan Fraser and his first-time cross found the waiting Junior Stanislas at the back post.
One touch to control, the other to pass into Jonas Lossl’s left-hand corner, and evidence of the scintillating football Howe has this vibrant side playing. A rehearsed Charlie Daniels corner almost produced another fine goal, Steve Cook clipping the post after peeling off his marker.
The quality was fleeting, however. In the 27th minute, Hogg fiercely barged the dithering Lewis Cook, drew a foul, and Mooy’s free-kick, whipped in, was met with gusto by Mounie, who planted past Asmir Begovic.
After the break, Tom Ince connected with another fine Mooy ball, only for the header to fly over from eight yards.
A third goal came with 24 minutes to play. Steve Cook gave possession straight to Rajiv van La Parra, who passed to Mooy. The Australian drove on with purpose, found Mounie and his finish slid inside the near post via a Steve Cook deflection.
Bournemouth created their own problems. They were too intricate, too clever and obsessed with angles in their own half. Cook’s error was indicative of their stubborn commitment to playing in that style after going seven unbeaten.
‘ Sometimes confidence is dangerous and you can become complacent,’ said Howe. ‘ The crowd were in the game. It affected our players. We lost too many duels.’
Three became four in stoppage time when Van La Parra converted a penalty, but the score did not flatter Huddersfield.
‘It showed character to do this,’ Wagner added. ‘ They’ve made a step. Now we have momentum and we’d like to keep it as long as we can.
‘We will work as hard as we can to take this chance. It’s the Chinese year of the dog: for the Terriers, there is no better year.’