Wagner joy at closing in on ‘miracle’

No match could have done a better job than this one at illustrating the gulf in technical quality between the top and the bottom of the Premier League, but few will end with a comparable explosion of joy.

David Wagner, the Huddersfield Town manager, was so overcome with emotion following substitute Tom Ince’s last-gasp goal that he had to find a quiet room after the final whistle in which to calm himself down.

Wagner had always said it would require “a miracle” to keep his low-budget side from returning to the Championship and, after 90 minutes in which his team had not managed one shot on target, what happened in stoppage time must have seemed like divine intervention, as Ince reacted to the sudden appearance of a clear opening, five yards from goal, and calmly slotted the ball home.

With Everton, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal to play, this was the match Huddersfield had to win if they were to go into that sequence not feeling fearful.

It gives them 35 points and while Wagner feels they may need more, it could be enough. He had tried not to attach such significance to one match.

“If you asked me if we can collect points against Everton and Arsenal at home I would say ‘yes, why not?’,” Wagner said.

“I told the players ‘I will never judge you on the points’. That is unfair. You judge them on their performances and the spirit and, if this is enough to collect the points we need, then wonderful.

“I’m pleased for Tom. He has had some opportunities this season and they did not work out for him, but he never gives up. Our big strength is the character and desire of the players and that’s why Tom is such a good fit for the group.”