Town knocked out of Carabao Cup
- Huddersfield Town narrowly defeated 2-1
- Everton reduced to 10 men
- Tom Lees on the scoresheet in positive performance!
Huddersfield Town put in a valiant performance at the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday evening, but were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the Second Round.
Town came from behind to equalise at the end of the second half, but were unable to pull the game back after Andros Townsend’s 79th minute goal.
The away side were faster out of the blocks at kick-off, with Moise Kean blasting a yard wide within the opening few minutes.
Just moments later Lee Nicholls was forced into an excellent save, getting down low to his right to keep out another effort from Kean.
Town’s first real chance of the game came in the 25th minute, as Duane Holmes played a reverse pass to set Fraizer Campbell into play. However, Asmir Begovic is quick from his line to snatch the ball ahead of the striker.
Everton took back possession just after and were able to break the deadlock. Tom Davies drove forward and Alex Iwobi was there to collect and pass the ball past Nicholls from close range.
The away fans thought they were two ahead just minutes later as Kean blasted a shot past Nicholls, but the offside flag was up.
The 34th minute saw a huge chance come for the Terriers, as Scott High sent Sorba Thomas flying down the right. Thomas pulled the ball pack to Danel Sinani, who saw Begovic save his first effort, and as the rebound fell back to Sinani, he missed the target on his right!
Sinani was at the centre of the action moments later, who switched onto his left foot and shot low. Unfortunately, Begovic was able to save it.
Town finished the half very strongly and the next Town chance fell to Campbell, who set the ball on his left and bent just wide from 20 yards.
The home side were really beginning to pile on the pressure as the clock counted down to half time, with Sinani providing another effort. He calmly controlled a half-cleared ball before trying to curl it into the top corner from the edge of the box. However, an Everton defender managed to head the ball wide.
The Terriers pressure paid off in the 45th minute, with Tom Lees netting his first goal for Town after latching onto a corner from Thomas, planting a firm header past the helpless Begovic at close range!
Town showcased some positive play as the second half got under way, as Duane Holmes drove forward to release Sinani into space. He advanced to the edge of the box, but ended up dragging his shot wide of the target.
Sinani almost turned provider in the 52nd minute, curling an in-swinging cross towards Campbell. Unfortunately, it went just a couple of feet wide!
Begovic then unleashed a stunning save to prevent Holmes’ shot. His drive looked destined for the top corner, but the ‘keeper managed to get a finger on it.
The 57th minute looked like Matty Pearson had given Town the lead after he headed home a superb Sinani corner, but it was ruled off for an apparent foul on the goalkeeper by Fraizer Campbell.
Everton were reduced to 10 men just moments later, with Kean being shown a straight red for shoving Thomas in the face, off the ball, in the centre circle.
Thomas was shown a yellow for his role in the coming together.
Town soon switched formation to a 4-3-3 to try and find the winner, with Lewis O'Brien and Josh Koroma being introduced.
Depsite Town's relative dominance, the visitors produced a moment of real quality to restore their lead despite being man down when former England winger Andros Townsend netted in the 79th minute, latching onto Andre Gomes’ low ball.
Naby Sarr was shown Town’s second yellow of the game for a late challenge on Townsend.
A late corner fell to Town in the third minute of added time, going towards Sarr at the back post. Unfortunately, it drifts past everyone before going dead on the opposite box.
Despite a strong performance throughout for the lads, the final whistle blew, and saw the end of Town’s Carabao Cup journey.
Town are back in action on Saturday 28 August 2021, when they welcome Reading to the John Smith’s Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship.
Town’s line-up (3-4-3)
Lee Nicholls; Naby Sarr, Tom Lees (Ollie Turton, 69’), Matty Pearson; Harry Toffolo, Alex Vallejo, Scott High (Josh Koroma, 80’), Sorba Thomas; Duane Holmes, Fraizer Campbell, Danel Sinani (Lewis O’Brien, 69’)
Unused Subs
Ryan Schofield; Rolando Aarons, Levi Colwill, Jon Russell
Scorer
Tom Lees, 45’
Town Bookings
Sorba Thomas (60’), Naby Sarr (81’)
