TOP TERRIER
PROUD Huddersfield boss David Wagner hailed his side’s bravery after a record crowd saw the Terriers outplay Manchester City’s millionaires.
Over 24,000 fans were packed into the John Smith’s Stadium for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side and only a linesman’s flag prevented them witnessing a famous shock.
Yet while Philip Billing’s firsthalf strike was correctly ruled out for offside, Terriers fans can console themselves with a terrific performance that reduced the fearsome Sergio Aguero to armflapping frustration.
Guardiola cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, not least because his oft-rotated side now face a replay at the Etihad. Wagner, though, couldn’t be happier with the prospect of a trip down the M62.
“One more match? Who cares?” said the beaming German. “I love to see these players playing football matches.
“Will we win it? Unfortunately, nobody can know that. But I believe we can go to Manchester and perform again, show our identity again.
“I wanted us to show that we are one of the fittest teams in the competition, that we are aggressive, that we could make it uncomfortable for them, that we are brave. That is our identity.
“I’ve seen in some moments the quality and how strong Manchester City are. But the players stuck to their identity, played their own game and that makes me very proud.”
Wagner’s pride was more than justified. His side, many of them fringe players, made the visitors look ordinary, not just in spells but for the entirety of an absorbing 90 minutes.
City did what City do. Pass, move, hunt out triangles, deploy a fluid formation and use the keeper as an 11th outfielder.
At its best, Guardiola’s system can dazzle and City’s early probing did catch Huddersfield in the headlights. Nolito burst clear and was brilliantly smothered by keeper Joel Coleman. Mark Hudson hacked a Jesus Navas shot off the line.
Yet whenever Aguero wriggled into space, whenever Nolito found a pocket, a blue and white shirt was there, snapping and