Town beaten away from home
- Norwich City 2-1 Huddersfield Town
- Town reduced to 10 men
- Pat Jones on the scoresheet
Huddersfield Town fell to a 2-1 Sky Bet Championship defeat at Norwich City on Tuesday evening.
Despite a spirited second half, two early first half goals and a Tom Lees red card left the Terriers with too much work to do at Carrow Road.
It was the hosts who flew out of the blocks fastest, taking the lead in just the sixth minute. Danel Sinani crossed from wide on his left foot, with Josh Sargent reaching highest to nod the ball past Lee Nicholls.
The 16th minute saw Norwich double their lead through Sinani. Sargent’s initial shot was deflected, with Sinani on hand to finish it.
Town’s first chance of the game came three minutes later, when Sorba Thomas played a ball through to Danny Ward, but the latter’s left footed half volley was parried clear by Tim Krul.
As the clock showed 25 minutes played, Wardy tried his luck again. A wonderful ball from Kaine Kesler-Hayden saw our no.25 make a great connection on his weaker foot from range, but he just couldn’t hit the target.
10 minutes later, some really nice work down the left by Jack Rudoni and Josh Ruffels found space for Thomas, but the Welshman overhit his cross, leaving it unable to find anyone in the box.
Seconds later, Rudoni had two efforts of his own. His first saw Krul positioned well to gather it down low, whilst his second was taken at an awkward angle, leaving Norwich’s ‘keeper able to gather it with ease.
Town continued to search for a way back into the game, with Yuta Nakayama unleashing an excellent strike from a free-kick. Unfortunately for the Terriers, they were unable to follow up on the spilled ball, seeing it eventually cleared by the hosts.
It was a disappointing start to the second half for Town, with Lees receiving a red card for a last man challenge in the 48th minute.
Norwich dominated possession for a period, before Thomas had a huge chance in the 62nd minute. Some brilliant work from Kesler-Hayden saw the youngster press to intercept a loose ball at the back and burst into the box, with his low cross scuffed just wide by Thomas.
11 minutes later, Nicholls showcased a HUGE save to deny Jordan Hugill. The striker got his header on target, but our no.21 dived to his right to get two big hands to it.
As the clock showed 78 minutes played, our ‘keeper leaped into action with another brilliant save! This time denying Aaron Ramsey, Nicholls was sharp to his right to push it out for a corner.
Town finally got themselves on the scoresheet in the 81st minute, with second half substitute Pat Jones bagging his first senior goal for the Terriers just six minutes after his introduction to the pitch! The 19-year-old broke forward brilliantly, beating Grant Hanley after a great ball from Rudoni and finishing past Krul on his left.
Minutes later, Town had another chance! Jones broke clear after a fantastic ball from Nakayama, but this through ball to Rhodes was just too long, with Krul beating our striker to it.
The final chance of the game fell to the Terriers. Some great work from Jones again saw him get up the left and cross, but second half substitute Josh Koroma couldn’t get onto it.
The referee blew his whistle, seeing Norwich walk away with all three Sky Bet Championship points.
Town’s Line-Up (3-4-3)
Lee Nicholls; Yuta Nakayama, Tom Lees, Ollie Turton; Josh Ruffels (Josh Koroma, 89’), Jack Rudoni, Jonathan Hogg (Etienne Camara, 75’), Kaine Kesler-Hayden; Sorba Thomas (Pat Jones, 75’), Danny Ward (Jordan Rhodes, 69’), Duane Holmes (Jon Russell, 69’)
Unused Subs
Jacob Chapman; Will Boyle
Town Scorer
Pat Jones (81’)
