A LATE SHOW FOR WAGNER

Prem side strike it lucky

HUDDERSFIELD took advantage of a huge slice of luck to book a fifth-round clash with Manchester United.

David Wagner’s men looked in trouble when they trailed to a 52nd-minute goal from City’s Che Adams, who fired firmly into the bottom corner.

But soon after the Terriers levelled in bizarre circumstances – not that they were complaining as they forced the tie into extra-time.

Horror

Tom Ince looked to have been thwarted when his 20-yarder was beaten away by Blues goalkeeper David Stockdale.

But to the stopper’s horror, the ball flew up wickedly, bounced down just in front of the line and in the scramble which followed the ball went in off defender Roberts.

It was harsh on the Championship hosts but ensured a further 30 minutes which saw the Premier League side restock.

And just four minutes into the extra period they were ahead when a cross from Scott Malone on the left reached striker Steve Mounie, who forced the ball home to make it 2-1.

Three minutes later it was 3-1. An effort from Ince was blocked by Stockdale and the ball broke to Rajiv Van La Parra who fired in from six yards.

That looked enough for Huddersfield but they put the icing on the cake on 106 minutes when Ince brought the ball down outside the area, controlled it and hit a left-foot shot into the corner of the net.

This replay was one both sides could have done without, even with a home clash against United on offer.

Birmingham, mindful of a massive league derby at Aston Villa on Sunday, made seven changes and Town six. Terriers’ boss David Wagner insisted the cup wasn’t a distraction but his side’s alarming slump in form means their top-flight survival is a priority.

A winless league run of eight games means they’ve picked up just three points from the last 24 available and now find themselves next to bottom.

After a bright enough opening few minutes the first half petered out badly, which tested the patience of those fans who had braved the biting cold.

Malone then enraged his team-mates when he selfishly chose to go it alone right on the stroke of half-time instead of squaring the ball.

Ironically it was Huddersfield who started the second half with more purpose, as if Wagner had told his men to go out and get the job finished off.

But they were in for a shock when Birmingham took the lead through Adams, before they came up with a swift if fortunate response.