Irish Daily Mail

Ince’s £100m goal is the payback for jubilant Wagner

- CHRIS WHEELER at the John Smith’s Stadium

TOM INCE rates it as the biggest goal of his life. For Huddersfie­ld Town, it could be worth another £100million for staying in the Premier League. That’s what was at stake when super-sub Ince strode up to score the winner against Watford in stoppage time and spark wild scenes of celebratio­n around the John Smith’s Stadium. ‘I’m chuffed for the club and chuffed for the town,’ said Ince after scoring in the 91st-minute of an otherwise forgettabl­e game to send Huddersfie­ld seven points clear of the relegation zone. ‘The manager insists on fighting for the cause, fighting for your team-mates and fighting for the club. We do that to a tee.’ When David Wagner sent on Ince to replace Collin Quaner on the hour mark, he told his substitute: ‘This is the time for miracles.’ So it’s fair to say this was biggest goal of his career? ‘Without a doubt,’ added Ince. ‘I’ve been disappoint­ed with myself this season. I’ve been my own worst critic and I wanted to produce a lot more.’ It was only Ince’s second Premier League goal since joining from Derby for £11.3million in the summer transfer window last July. Wagner thought it appropriat­e that he was the man to latch on to Mathias Zanka’s clever flick and score with Huddersfie­ld’s only shot on target. ‘He’s had a few opportunit­ies over the season. He always tried and he has never given up,’ said the Huddersfie­ld boss. ‘That’s why he suits our group. I’m very pleased he has the headlines.’ David Wagner hugged chairman Dean Hoyle and then left to celebrate with his family despite cautioning that Huddersfie­ld aren’t there yet. Still, there’s a feeling they may have done enough already to avoid a relegation many viewed as inevitable at one point . ‘I rank this as bigger than promotion,’ Wagner added. ‘As I’ve said, if last season was a fairytale, this one is a miracle.’

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