Defeat for the Terriers in South Wales
Having worked so hard to pull back level with just 12 minutes of the game remaining, Town will be so disappointed to leave Swansea City empty-handed due to two further goals from the home side.
A lacklustre first half, when a Swansea goal from Andre Ayew was the only real action of note, the Terriers built momentum and drew level in the 78th minute when substitutes Chris Willock and Steve Mounié combined to score a welcome equaliser.
However, midfielder Jay Fulton then headed home a corner barely two minutes later in simple fashion before winger Jordon Garrick netted a late third.
Manager Danny Cowley made just one change to the line-up from last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Derby County, with top scorer Karlan Grant returning to lead the line in place of Fraizer Campbell, who was unwell.
The Terriers switched from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, with Lewis O’Brien allowed to go and hunt possession at times.
Town tried to control possession in the opening 45 minutes, but it was the Swans who still created the better chances and took the lead. Using the pace of striker Rhian Brewster and winger Aldo Kalulu, they looked to spring early down the channels to good effect.
Brewster forced Jonas Lössl to tip an early header over his crossbar, but it was the Swans goal that was the first effort of note in the 28th minute – and it came about because of a Town error. Jonathan Hogg lost possession deep inside his own half and although Richard Stearman and a crowd of players blocked two initial shots, the ball made its way to winger Kalulu. He managed to hammer a low cross into the six-yard box, where Lössl could only push the ball into the path of Ayew, who tapped home.
Full back Kyle Naughton hit the outside of the side netting with a snapshot after receiving a pass from the lively Kalulu in the 39th minute before Lössl did well to deny Brewster after he had been set clear, getting his angles right to block a shot at source.
The best effort of the half from the men in coral, on the other hand, was a hopeful shot on the turn from Juninho Bacuna that flew over the crossbar.
Kalulu also had the first effort of the second half, hitting a volley wide of target at the back post when a cross was deflected into his path.
Then Town started to get on top. Steve Mounié, Emile Smith Rowe and Chris Willock all made a difference when they came on and Town started to pin the Swans back, although they still had to work hard to create chances.
Grant fired straight at Woodman before Stearman nodded a free kick straight at goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, then with quarter of an hour left the goalkeeper had to tip Grant’s header from Danny Simpson’s cross over the bar.
Swansea’s crowd were getting edgy, and it was no surprise when Town did equalise in the 78th minute. A patient passing move saw the ball worked right to Willock by Hogg, who found a yard past Bidwell to drive the ball towards the far post, with Mounié seemingly getting a slight touch to divert the ball in.
Then came the hammer-blow. Stearman was forced to head Ayew’s effort over the bar upon the restart, leading to a corner. Jonas Lössl tried to come for Matt Grimes’ delivery but got stuck in a crowd of players – allowing midfielder Jay Fulton to leap and head home in simple fashion.
Town tried to muster a second comeback, but Swansea then netted a third on the counter; Conor Gallagher playing an excellent pass to set winger Jordon Garrick clear, who rounded the Town stopper.
Town’s team (4-2-3-1)
Jonas Lössl; Harry Toffolo, Christopher Schindler (c), Richard Stearman, Danny Simpson; Jonathan Hogg, Andy King (Emile Smith Rowe, 54’); Juninho Bacuna (Steve Mounié, 46’), Lewis O’Brien, Elias Kachunga (Chris Willock, 71’); Karlan Grant
Unused substitutes
Joel Coleman; Trevoh Chalobah, Alex Pritchard, Jon Gorenc Stanković
Town booking
Jonathan Hogg (45+2’)
Gate
15,148
