Hodgson enjoys first victory to knock out Terriers
MUCH-CHANGED Huddersfield Town crashed out of the Carabao Cup as Crystal Palace earned their first victory of Roy Hodgson’s reign as manager and their first over Premier League opposition since May.
The 70-year-old’s first match in charge at his latest club ended in a 1-0 home defeat to Southampton, but a muchaltered team significantly improved from the point Bakary Sako headed the Eagles in front.
Both teams made nine changes to the XIs they had last selected in the Premier League, but if Hodgson was rewarded with desire from those eager to impress, David Wagner’s Terriers were disjointed and lacked belief.
Huddersfield have made a fine start to the season, which included a 3-0 victory at Palace in their opening league game, the first of five losses Palace have experienced, but Mamadou Sakho’s influence helped the hosts excel.
Sakho arrived for £26m on a permanent basis from Liverpool shortly before the conclusion of the summer transfer window and his composure in central defence brought much of the stability they have missed since his injury in April.
After the hosts won a 13thminute corner, at the end of a period in which Sako’s workrate had impressed, Andros Townsend crossed to the forward and he took advantage of static Huddersfield defending to head routinely beyond Joel Coleman for the decisive breakthrough.
By half-time Townsend had again threatened with a shot that went wide of the target, and Elias Kachunga struck over for Huddersfield before Tom Ince tested Julian Speroni with another shot – but on neither occasion did a goal appear likely.
As the second half progressed Huddersfield enjoyed greater spells of possession, but the hosts’ newly-organised defence refused to be stretched.
Huddersfield’s poor execution ensured the hosts finished on top and Sako had another header, from Townsend’s 82nd-minute corner, scrambled clear.
Substitute Yohan Cabaye also tested Coleman with a strike from 25 yards in stoppage-time as Hodgson got a welcome win.