Farke’s in a chirpy mood
Derby boss Cocu furious after first-half shocker
DANIEL FARKE insisted Norwich can bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt after a late winner from teenage sub Adam Idah.
The Canaries have refused to panic after their demoralising one-season stay in the top flight and grabbed their first win since February when they beat Leicester – an amazing 192 days ago.
It banished the hangover of a 10-game losing streak from last season.
Boss Farke said: “It is a perfect way to start a new season. The losing run? There is no replacement for winning games. You want to be back to winning, get that feeling in the dressing room.
“I am delighted for the lads to experience it again.”
In a tight game, it took an 80th-minute gift from Terriers’ defender Richard Stearman, who had just recovered from a smash to the head, to earn the three points.
His woeful no-man’s land back pass was anticipated by Teemu Pukki, who squared for 19-year-old Ireland international Idah to notch his first league goal for the club.
Farke is attempting to rekindle the Canaries’ promotion form of two seasons ago and this was a big confidence booster – a first win in 13 attempts.
They have held on to many of their Premier League assets, losing
Jamal Lewis to Newcastle last week.
Oliver Skipp, anchoring midfield with energy, looks to be a good loan addition from Spurs. Onel Hernandez was their best outlet up front, and the rangy running of Todd Cantwell caught the eye.
Farke added: “We will rise again. We want to be a long-term member of the Premier League. We showed outstanding character. Also the referee apologised for two clear penalties that should have been awarded to us.”
Town narrowly avoided consecutive relegations last season and looked a work in progress under new boss Carlos Corberan.
Marcelo Bielsa’s former assistant during Leeds United’s promotion was a picture of frustration trying to get his side to press high.
And the Spaniard dished out rollickings to his subs for not warming up.
But standards will rise at the John Smith’s Stadium this season.
Corberan said: “We gave the effort. We have to try and create more and have more time on the ball.”
HUDDERSFIELD: Hamer 6, Avila 6, Stearman 4 (Campbell 82), Schindler 6, Toffolo 6, Jackson 4 (Mbenza 57, 4), Hogg 5, Pritchard 6, Diakhaby 5 (Brown 71), Bacuna 5, Koroma 6. Subs not used: Pereira,, Crichlow, Rowe, Edmonds-Green.
NORWICH 4-2-3-1: Krul 6, Aarons 6, Zimmerman 6, Godfrey 7, Quintilla 6, Skipp 6, McClean 6 – Dowell 6 (Idah 75), Cantwell 6 (Rupp 89), Hernandez 6 (Placheta 75), Pukki 7.
Subs not used: McGovern, Hugill, Tettey, Gibson.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Todd Cantwell. Was full of energy and switches of play and added zest to City’s play.
REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham 7.
PHILLIP COCU said dreadful Derby’s first-half display was unacceptable as they suffered an early blow to their promotion bid.
Derby were woeful and Reading took full advantage to get off to a flier, scoring through Lucas Joao and Ovie Ejaria.
Cocu was stunned by what he saw and said: “Credit to Reading, but we also have to look at ourselves.
“In the first 35 minutes our performance was something we can’t accept.
“So then it’s no surprise at half-time to be 2-0 down, first because of a set-play.
“We had a few corners and did not come close to the goal. They had a corner and it’s in the net.
“So I was very upset at halftime because if you don’t play and don’t present yourself as a team, like we should, then you don’t have the bravery to play.
“We have ourselves to blame and that was something I was really upset about because if you don’t play like you can the consequences are you are losing 2-0.”
Reading boss Veljko Paunovic was delighted to win his first game as boss and praised Joao.
“I really liked what I saw,” said the Serb. “If he can play every day with the eye of the tiger like he did today then we are going to have a fantastic performer.
“I’m very grateful to the guys for that performance and the spirit and the game we developed from start to finish.
“We scored the goals right at the time that they were growing in confidence and building pressure.
“Second half, we controlled the game well but we are learning a lot and we are looking to keep on improving.
“We want to be able to build on that going forward.”
Derby could not handle Joao, who created an early chance which Rams keeper David Marshall did well to save on his debut, with John Swift blazing over from the rebound.
And Reading deservedly took the lead on 40 minutes through Joao, with Michael Olise whipping in a corner to the near post for the predatory Portuguese striker to tuck home and add to his hat-trick last week in the Carabao Cup.
Joao was buzzing and he outfoxed the Derby defence in stoppage time when he pretended to shoot but backheeled the ball for debutant Ovie Ejaria to fire home his first goal since a £ 3.5million move from Liverpool.
The Rams were having a shocker and forgot to inform the officials that Nathan Byrne had replaced Andre Wisdom at the interval.
Referee Darren Bond stopped play when he realised and booked Byrne for illegally coming on – an inauspicious start to his Derby career.
The Rams improved slightly, although that was not hard, and Morgan Whittaker managed a couple of shots, which Rafael Cabral saved.
Reading were denied a third when Andy Yiadom crossed and Joao thumped his shot against the bar.
Wayne Rooney began on the bench because of a muscle strain and Cocu threw him on just after the hour mark, but he clearly isn’t fit and could not turn the game.
“I’m happy he is back after his injury,” added Cocu.
DERBY: Marshall 7, Wisdom 6 (Byrne 46, 6), Te Wierik 6, Clarke 6, Forsyth 6, Bird 5, Shinnie 6 (Rooney 63, 5), Whittaker 6, Sibley 5, Knight 5, Marriott 5. Subs not used: Roos, Evans, Buchanan, Davies, Brown. READING: Cabral 6, Yiadom 7, Richards 7, Moore 7, Morrison 6, Rinomhota 6, Laurent 6, Olise 7 (Holmes 88), Swift 6 (Baldock 78), Ejaria 7 (Aluko 68, 6), Joao 8. Subs not used: Southwood, Araruna, Holmes, Bristow, Puscas.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Lucas Joao. Tormented Derby and scored the first before creating the second with a cheeky backheel.
REFEREE: Darren Bond 7.