PERFECT PALMER
DAVID WAGNER hailed the “perfect” start for his new-look Huddersfield – and youngster Kasey Palmer.
The 19-year-old winger, on a seasonlong loan from Chelsea, came off the bench to score with his first touch in senior football.
Palmer had only been on the pitch a minute when he finished in style after Daniel Bentley had saved well from Rajiv van La Parra.
It was the Terriers’ first opening-day win since 2010 and boss Wagner said: “It was a perfect start, not just for Kasey, but the whole club.
“When I sent Kasey on I said to him, ‘Enjoy it and decide the game’. I think he enjoyed it!
“He is a real talent who is intelligent and bright and has a good future in the game if he continues to work hard.” Former German under-21 striker Elias Kachunga, on loan from Bundesliga club Ingolstadt and also making his Huddersfield debut, broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half with a downward header. Brentford equalised in the 77th minute when Lewis Macleod’s neat pass caught Huddersfield napping and substitute Nico Yennaris fired under keeper Danny Ward – but that set the stage for Palmer’s winner.
Wagner said: “It was an outstanding performance and we had many opportunities early on.
“Then we struggled for 10 or 15 minutes after we had scored and defended too deep but then Kasey did a great job when he came on.
“What made me really proud was the togetherness we showed. ”
Brentford manager Dean Smith knows he urgently needs to get his injured players back.
“We are missing one or two and there are a few who cannot do the full 90 minutes,” said Smith. ”Nico has an infected toe and needed an injection so he could get on the field.
“We are looking especially short out wide so we are working on trying to get someone in.” Possession 56% 44% Shots On Target 7 4 Shots Off Target 8 4 Blocked Shots 1 0 Corners 5 2 Fouls Conceded 13 9 Offsides 3 3 Yellow Cards 1 1 Red Cards 0 0