The Huddersfield dream continues
HUDDERSFIELD: Promoted Huddersfield Town made it two wins out of two in the Premier League as a superb Aaron Mooy strike gave them a 1-0 home win over Newcastle United yesterday.
The hosts built on last week’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, which marked their return to the top flight after a 45-year absence, when Australian Mooy grabbed the winner in the 50th minute.
Newcastle, who also won promotion from the Championship last season, should have equalised in the 68th minute but Ayoze Perez wasted a chance from close range.
Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle remain without a point following their home loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week.
There was a buzz of anticipation around the John Smith’s Stadium as Huddersfield, three times champions in the 1920’s, prepared to welcome England’s elite once more.
German manager David Wagner, whose team won promotion through the playoffs, has energised the Yorkshire town, injecting optimism and excitement into a club that had been struggling in the second tier Championship when he took over in November, 2015.
Signs of ‘We are Premier League’ were proudly displayed outside the ground and former players, such as ex-England international Frank Worthington, savoured the occasion in the stands.
A series of new signings, mainly from Europe, during the off-season has given Huddersfield a fighting chance of survival and their opening-day win at Palace only added to the optimism of the Terriers faithful.
Not surprisingly in such an atmosphere,
Huddersfield attacked from the outset but there were few clear chances and a Tom Ince snap-shot in the 13th minute was their first real effort on goal.
A minute later, Newcastle threatened with their Scottish international winger Matt Ritchie forcing a fine diving save out of home keeper Jonas Lossl.
Huddersfield took the lead in outstanding fashion five minutes after the break with Australian midfielder Mooy playing a neat one-two with Elias Kachunga and then curling a fine shot past the helpless Rob Elliot.
Benitez took off the ineffective Dwight Gayle, replacing him with Spanish forward Joselu, and that, combined with greater urgency, saw Newcastle apply some pressure.
Perez should have brought Newcastle level in the 68th minute when he fired over the bar from five metres out and although Newcastle battled hard at the end, they lacked craft and ingenuity.
A massive roar greeted the final whistle from the home fans who know that every point is likely to matter if they are to remain in the Premier League at the end of the season.
“I am very happy and proud the players followed our idea to keep Newcastle as far away from our goal as possible, Huddersfield manager David Wagner said. “We gave no big chances away and our defence was very sharp.
“We had one magic moment from Mooy, enough to win the game. I am delighted with the performance and result.
“We got promoted at Wembley but we have started the season with two wins and six points. This is unbelievable. Everybody has invested so much and I am happy for them.”
Two goals from Marcos Alonso gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the first-ever Premier League game at Wembley Stadium.
For all the noise and wall of flags that greeted their arrival, Spurs needed an early goal to feel at ease in their new surroundings.
It was Chelsea, though, who made the breakthrough against the run of play on 23 minutes when Alonso thumped home a superb free kick from 20 metres after Dele Alli had fouled David Luiz.
The shock jolted Spurs who spent much of the game peppering Chelsea’s goal, with Harry Kane hitting the post and Christian Eriksen also going close.
They eventually got a goal on 82 minutes but only when Michy Batshuayi headed an Eriksen free kick into his own goal two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The striker looked disconsolate but the goal heralded a frantic finale in which Tottenham had a penalty appeal turned down and Chelsea scored on the counter-attack after 88 minutes when Luiz intercepted and Pedro fed Alonso on the overlap.
The fullback shot low but must have been as surprised as anyone when goalkeeper Hugo Lloris somehow let the ball through.
“We played a very good game,” said Alonso. “I don’t think I ever hit a better free kick than the first, not even in training.”
Midfielder Luiz was at the heart of most that was good about Chelsea, breaking down Tottenham attacks and pushing his team forward. Asked what instructions he had received from manager Antonio Conte, Luiz said: “Run.”
He added: “He told me to cut out the space to create. We were clever and played a very good game.”
It was Chelsea’s fourth successive win over Spurs at the national stadium – the previous three were in cup games – and hardly bodes well for Tottenham’s temporary home while their new stadium is being built. In their past 11 games at Wembley, Spurs have won only twice. – Reuters