Huddersfield party as Conte faces up to failure
They were meant to be the whipping boys. The club the money men would brush aside. But Huddersfield Town upset the odds to complete their remarkable Premier League survival mission with a draw against last season’s champions Chelsea.
David Wagner’s trousers briefly fell down as he was given the bumps by his delirious players, but Huddersfield have pulled down the pants of those who predicted they would be sent straight back to the Championship.
Just days after securing a point against Premier League recordbreakers Manchester City, a Laurent Depoitre goal at Stamford Bridge was enough to seal Huddersfield’s top-flight status and effectively relegate Swansea City.
It was Depoitre’s first goal of 2018 and it is one that will go down in history for the Terriers, who frustrated a Chelsea team desperate for three points to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification. Marcos Alonso netted a lucky equaliser, but the Blues now need a football miracle to climb into the top four on the final day.
This was all about the fighting spirit of Wagner’s side, who celebrated wildly at the final whistle. Some players sank to their knees as they realised they had done it and, as well as throwing Wagner into the air, the entire match-day squad, along with the backroom staff, eventually gathered to receive the congratulations of their fans.
“This is an absolute overachievement,” said Wagner. “It’s a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year, we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season, we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles, and I understand it.
“We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. To have passion, desire – how big you are doesn’t count. It’s about trying everything. We are humble. We are ambitious, too. It’s an incredible achievement for us. It feels like another trophy.”
On the loss of his trousers during the on-pitch celebrations, Wagner added: “I hope this was not live. Listen, my body shape is not how it has to be!”
Needing a draw, Huddersfield arrived in west London with a plan and carried it out brilliantly – boosted by the fact they managed to take a shock lead five minutes after half-time. Following a tackle from Chris Lowe on Willian, which replays showed to be a foul, Depoitre outpaced Antonio Rudiger as he chased Aaron Mooy’s pass over the defence and crucially got a toe to the ball before Willy Caballero, who had raced from his line.
The Belgian showed superb strength to stay on his feet as the goalkeeper clattered into him, and he calmly dispatched the ball into the net. The Huddersfield bench celebrated by all racing on to the pitch.
Caballero’s inclusion was one of six changes made by Antonio Conte, who may be regretting his decision to start with Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud on the bench.
Argentine Caballero had not been forced to make a save before picking the ball out of the net, as Chelsea dominated the first half and wasted a great chance to open the scoring moments before Depoitre’s goal. Willian’s free-kick was perfect for Rudiger, but the defender headed over the crossbar.
Unsurprisingly, Conte reacted by sending on Giroud, and the Frenchman replaced Davide Zappacosta to partner Alvaro Morata up front. The Chelsea fans chanted for Hazard to be sent on as well and they did not have to wait long as he took over from Pedro.
But Chelsea’s 62nd-minute leveller was down to good fortune, rather than good judgment. Cesar Azpilicueta sent in a low cross that fell to Mathias Jorgensen and he sent his attempted clearance straight into Alonso, the ball deflecting off the left-back and into the net.
Lossl then made an incredible save, which was every bit as important as Depoitre’s goal, to palm Christensen’s header on to his right-hand post with the Dane ready to celebrate.
But it was Huddersfield who staged a Stamford Bridge party and Chelsea must beat Newcastle United on the final day and hope Liverpool lose to Brighton, with Tottenham Hotspur now sure of their top-four place.
If this was Conte’s final match in charge of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, then it was a sad end for the Italian, whose team performed the traditional end-of-season lap of appreciation in front of empty blue seats.
“The situation wasn’t in our hands before this game and, for sure, the [top four] possibility is less now after this game,” said Conte. On his future, Conte added: “This is not my task, there is a club to judge the situation and then to take the best decision.”