Huddersfield Town player ratings from penalty shootout victory over Leicester City
Equalisers from Dan Vost and Cameron Ashia sent the Carabao Cup first round clash to penalties, where Lee Nicholls was the hero against Championship opposition
Lee Nicholls - 8
Virtual passenger throughout the first half, against all expectation, with the Town defence leaving Leicester without a shot on target to speak of. Absolutely no chance on Choudhury’s brilliantly-struck goal and couldn’t quite get to Harry Winks’ shot as he restored the visitors’ lead. Saved well from Soumare in injury time, and was the hero in the shootout as he saved two Leicester spot kicks.
Lynden Gooch - 8
Had a challenging first few minutes but grew into it magnificently. Kept dynamic winger Jeremy Monga under constant pressure and winning several impressive challenges. Couldn’t stop Stephy Mavididi as Leicester made it 2-1.
Josh Feeney - 7
Unfortunate that his clearance dropped perfectly for Hamza Choudhury to blast Leicester into the lead. Had a header saved at the other end just a couple of minutes later.
Murray Wallace - 8
Got his first competitive start for the club, playing at centre-back. Very strong showing, but unable to stop his man from getting to the byline on the way to Leicester’s opening goal.
Sean Roughan - 8
Started at left-back. Our best look yet at him in competitive game and he impressed from the off with a superb long pass over the top for Ruben Roosken — a ball he would repeat a few more times over the course of the game. Defensively very solid and really composed on the ball.
Dan Vost - 8
Got a first-team chance in central midfield. Stood firm in his own half to hold Leicester at bay. Great moment as he reacted quickest to head home the rebound from Dion Charles’ saved penalty and score the equaliser.
David Kasumu - 7
Felt he should have been given a penalty after bursting into the box and going down to Ben Nelson’s challenge early on. Chased and hassled to good effect all night.
Ben Wiles - 6
One of just two players to remain in the side from Saturday, alongside Roosken. Wore the captain’s armband. Very quiet first half, but far livelier after the break. Unable to catch Jakub Stolarczyk off his line shortly after Leicester's opener and went off a couple of minutes later.
Cameron Ashia - 8
In from the start following his dream cameo against Reading at the weekend. Worked incredibly hard to get from end to end, supporting Gooch at the back one second then popping up in the final third the next. Caused more problems after switching to the left in the second half, and finally got his reward for his efforts as he curled a brilliant strike into the top corner to make it 2-2.
Ruben Roosken - 8
Great run in the third minute to get into the box off Roughan’s pass, and should have been awarded a penalty after being tripped at the end of that move — not given though. Shot not too far over the bar from 25 yards midway through the first half. Consistently good outlet up the left side, especially off Roughan’s passes, and won Town their penalty. Excellent wing performance against tough opposition.
Dion Charles - 6
Superb work to force a Leicester centre-back off the ball in the first half — typical of his huge efforts off the ball — but perhaps lacking in confidence as he took his run away from goal instead of going one on one with Stolarczyk in the first half, then took a heavy first touch off Roosken’s cutback when he could have shot first time, then later saw his penalty saved. Feel for him at this point — just needs that goal to finally come.
Substitutes
Leo Castledine (for Wiles 63) - On for his debut after joining on loan from Chelsea in the summer. Always wanted the ball in his number 10 role. Unable to pick out either of two men waiting in the six yard box after being released into the box. 6
Joe Taylor (for Charles 70) - A nuisance like always, but not given any chances to speak of at centre-forward. 6
Alfie May (for Roosken 70) - Played as Town’s right-sided number 10. 6
Jay Sway (for Ashia 79) - Made his senior debut on the left wing. Had a penalty shout turned down after doing well to get into the box. n/a
Lasse Sorensen (for Gooch 79) - Saw out the game at right-back and scored Town’s final penalty. n/a
Unused substitutes: Owen Goodman, Radinio Balker, Herbie Kane, Ryan Ledson.
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