TERRIERS WILL DO THE MATH

HUDDERSFIELD players stayed in London for their Christmas party, but Mathias Jorgensen said it was a bonding exercise as much as festive merrymaking.

The Terriers were returning to the venue where they toasted their escape from relegation after the heroic 0-0 draw at Chelsea last May.

But Jorgensen – also known to his fans as ‘Zanka’ – claimed they would harness the party spirit for crucial home games against Newcastle, Southampton and Burnley either side of the New Year.

He said: “We’ve got some big home games coming up and we’ll need to be at our best.

“For us it’s important to spend time together to get that team-bonding.”

Jorgensen backed ref Paul Tierney’s strict application of the no-simulation rule after Arsenal had three players booked for diving.

He added: “The ref lays down the line, and once that line is drawn of course there’s a lot of things where you could say. ‘Did they get touched?’ In some instances they did.

“Whether or not they were trying to deceive the referee, I don’t know.”

‘Zanka’ was also relieved to be rescued by an offside flag when his backpass was intercepted by Alexandre Lacazette, who was adjudged to have gained an advantage when he was inches beyond the last defender moments earlier. He added: “There are a lot of grey areas but it was clearly offside.”