Town beaten on the road
- Huddersfield Town narrowly defeated 2-1
- Second half brace sealed Stoke’s win
- Harry Toffolo scored his first of the season
Despite a good performance, Huddersfield Town were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Town took the lead in the opening moments of the second half, but a quick equaliser and an own goal saw the Potters walk away with the Sky Bet Championship points.
It was a bright start to the game for both sides, who both showed encouraging attacking moves without seriously testing either goalkeeper.
Fraizer Campbell and Sorba Thomas provided some good play for Town in the opening moments, but Thomas’ pull-back for Josh Koroma was just cut out.
The Terriers’ got lucky as Stoke responded, with Ben Wilmot crossing the ball over Naby Sarr’s head and into the area. Thankfully, the ball ran just beyond Sam Surridge.
Town’s biggest chance of the half came in the 26th minute. Sorba’s corner was flicked on by Jonathan Hogg to Sarr, who could only adjust enough to head the ball over.
The hosts took hold of the possession for a period, but the Terriers kept a good defensive shape to shut down Stoke’s options in the middle of the pitch.
The Potters did find themselves a half chance as Josh Tymon flashed a low ball across the face of goal. Fortunately, Sarr was able to ease Jacob Brown ahead of the ball.
Town were then given a free kick on the right following Duane Holmes being tripped by Romain Sawyers. Thomas sent another great ball towards the far post, but Tom Lees could only send his diving header over the crossbar.
Both sides came out for the second half with no changes made, and Town got out of the blocks quickest.
Harry Toffolo broke the deadlock in the 47th minute. After winning a foul on the edge of the Stoke penalty area, Sorba Thomas stepped up and tested goalkeeper Bursik with a low drive. He saved the ball with his legs, but Jonathan Hogg kept the ball alive, allowing Toffolo to react and send it into the back of the net from close range.
Unfortunately for Town, Stoke responded within minutes, with Brown reaching highest to send home an equaliser from a Mario Vrancic corner.
Campbell was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute for having a strike long after the flag had been raised for offside.
Holmes followed shortly after for time wasting.
The 63rd minute saw Stoke double their lead through an unlucky own goal from Matty Pearson. Vrancic was allowed to advance into the area a little too easily, and his low cross across the face of goal got caught in Pearson's feet and ended up in the back of the net.
Town had a half chance in the 73rd minute, with Koroma taking a strike following a Sinani corner. However, it was straight at the keeper.
The Terriers were given a free kick on the edge of the box due to a foul on Sinani. Unfortunately, Thomas’ strike went narrowly wide and proved to be the best chance of an equaliser.
Stoke had a huge chance to seal their victory in the 87th minute when Clucas found space in the area, but thankfully he fired over from close range.
Town tried to find a way back into the game, but couldn't break the Stoke defensive line.
Town’s line-up (3-4-3)
Lee Nicholls; Naby Sarr, Tom Lees (Ollie Turton, 66’); Matty Pearson; Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brien, Jonathan Hogg, Sorba Thomas; Josh Koroma, Fraizer Campbell (Mipo Odubeko, 77’), Duane Holmes (Danel Sinani, 66’)
Unused Subs
Nicholas Bilokapic; Álex Vallejo, Josh Ruffels, Levi Colwill
Town Scorer
Harry Toffolo (47’)
Town Bookings
Tom Lees (49’), Fraizer Campbell (57’), Duane Holmes (61’)
