WELLS’ LATE SHOW
Nahki’s last-gasp free-kick earns Terriers draw to put them fourth
HUDDERSFIELD Town and Blackburn Rovers ended their respective 2016s frustrated after late drama robbed both the chance of walking away with three points at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Goals from Danny Graham and Nahki Wells in the final ten minutes ensured the game ended 1-1, David Wagner’s side moving above rivals Leeds into fourth whilst Blackburn still sit two points off safety at the bottom.
Town’s domination of possession and general control of the game didn’t warrant the result they deserved, but Wagner admitted he was happy his team didn’t let their heads drop before Wells curled home a stoppage time free-kick equaliser.
“I was happy about the reaction to their goal, not many teams will come back after investing so much in the game and then conceding a poor goal,” he said.
“It wasn’t the first time a team has come here and played with that style of football. It’s not a style I like but nevertheless it’s a style I respect. They tried to get a point from the first minute, we did more than enough to deserve our point and possibly more.”
Discussing the scorer, Wagner added: “I’m very happy for Nahki, he’s worked very hard and actually scored probably his hardest chance of the game.”
Whilst Town had looked almost certain to win given the form of both sides since
their 1-1 draw at the start of the month, Blackburn did their best to frustrate the hosts and took the lead in the 81st minute through Graham with their first effort on target, the striker heading home Liam Feeney’s cross.
It was Blackburn’s first real opening of any sort, only a half chance for Sam Gallagher in the first half providing any respite for Owen Coyle’s side as they were pinned back.
Town pushed and pushed for a winner but were constantly thwarted by a combination of Steele in goal and Blackburn’s rock-solid centre-back duo Gordon Greer and Charlie Mulgrew.
“Sometimes you play really well and you get three points, sometimes you play really well and you get less than that,” said Wagner. “But I’m not too disappointed because like I said, we responded really well to their goal and we never stopped believing we could get back in it.” Rovers boss Owen Coyle was more philosophical after the final whistle. “In isolation, a point at Huddersfield Town is a good result, but we’re in need of the points and I thought we set ourselves up for that,” he said. “Huddersfield are a very good side and for me they will definitely finish in the top six. This is such an emotional game and sometimes players get caught up in the furore of the game.
“We have performed well in games without getting the points and when our performances are good we have to make sure we do everything we can to get us over the line.”