Ince finds a miracle cure to ease tension
THE Huddersfield players piled on Tom Ince in one corner of the pitch, closely followed by manager David Wagner.
Up in the directors’ box, chairman Dean Hoyle embraced his two sons while pandemonium broke out all around them.
Premier League survival is not guaranteed yet, but they know it’s close now.
We were in the first of three minutes of added time and Huddersfield hadn’t managed a single shot on target in a tense but largely uneventful game.
Terence Kongolo floated another hopeful ball into the penalty area and Laurent Depoitre made enough of a nuisance of himself for Mathias Zanka, thrown up front as a last resort, to win possession.
It was Zanka’s quick-thinking that did it. He caught out Watford by flicking a square pass to the edge of the six-yard box, where substitute Ince was more alert than three defenders to sweep the ball home with his left foot.
And in that instant, Wagner’s side moved seven points and four places clear of the relegation zone.
With their final four games against Everton, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, this was Huddersfield’s best opportunity of a win and they snatched it in the most dramatic way possible.
Wagner, who had described survival as ‘a miracle’ that would surpass the fairytale of last season’s promotion via a penalty shoot-out, was no under illusions what this might mean.
‘This could be one of the biggest moments in the club’s recent history,’ he said. ‘This moment when Zanka had a little bit of magic and Incey scored the winner. This could be enough to secure Premier League status. It’s a big step for sure. We wanted to make an intense game out of it and fight for Premier League survival. The players have done it and the supporters backed them until the final whistle.
‘We showed our emotions all together. We are maybe not the best individuals as players, but we’re one of the best at celebrating!’
Wagner and his players had watched Southampton’s collapse after leading Chelsea by two goals in the early kick-off. They knew what a win here meant.
Yet they lacked the guile and ingenuity to break down a wellorganised Watford in a game low on quality between one team seeing out the remainder of the season and another fighting for their Premier League life.
Huddersfield couldn’t test Orestis Karnezis and only Jonathan Hogg came close to beating the Watford keeper when he drilled a low shot narrowly past the post.
Jonas Lossl was equally underemployed at the other end by a Watford team who haven’t scored away from home in the league since January 2.
At one point, Roberto Pereyra curled two corners out of play in quick succession, which rather summed up the attacking football on show.
There was little to hint at the drama to come and the John Smith’s Stadium erupted when it did. It was mixture of euphoria and relief.
For Watford boss Javi Gracia, there was frustration. This was the 13th goal they have conceded in the last five minutes of Premier League games this term.
‘Many times we deserved more,’ said Gracia. ‘Today was an equal game, but to lose the chance to get points again in extra-time, it’s very cruel.’ HUDDerSFIeLD town (4-2-3-1): Lossl 6; Hadergjonaj 6, Zanka 6.5, Schindler 6.5, Kongolo 6; Mooy 6.5, Hogg 7.5; Quaner 5.5 (Ince 60min, 7), Pritchard 6, Van La Parra 5 (Billing 77, 6); Mounie 5.5 (Depoitre 71, 6.5). Booked: Zanka, Pritchard. Subs (not used): Coleman, Smith, Malone, Lowe. watForD (4-2-3-1): Karnezis 6; Mariappa 6, Prodl 6.5, Cathcart 6.5, Janmaat 6; Capoue 6.5, Doucoure 6; Femenia 5.5 (Richarlison 58, 6), Hughes 7 (Sinclair 90), Pereyra 5; Deeney 6.5 (Gray 81). Booked: Pereyra, Janmaat. Subs (not used): Gomes, Britos, Kabasele, Okaka. referee: C Pawson 7.