Huddersfield Town player ratings from 2-1 defeat at Reading

Michael Duff's side dominated much of the play and were significantly better than their last two performances, but still came away without the points after struggling to create many clear-cut chances

Jacob Chapman - 6

Swapped in at the last moment after Lee Nicholls had to pull out in the warm-up. Had to come out of his box to cut out dangerous balls a couple of times. Little chance of stopping Harvey Knibb’s opener and seemed to see Ben Elliott’s strike late through a crowded box.

Matty Pearson - 7

Marked his first league start of the season with the game’s opening goal, following in the rebound from Antony Evans’ direct free kick. Had a second ruled out for an offside against Nigel Lonwijk as the ball came in. Crossed a few times late on when a pass to a better-placed teammate might have been advisable.

Tom Lees - 5

Didn’t look entirely comfortable with the ball at times, which was particular wearying late on. Put a close-range chance at the keeper late on after seeing it late and being unable to get a proper connection on it. Just about able to stop Reading from killing the game off with a great last-ditch tackle on Adrian Akande — not that it mattered in the end.

Nigel Lonwijk - 5

Did well to win the ball on the edge of the box just before Reading equalised, but helped gift them that chance by dawdling on the ball after making his challenge, allowing Harvey Knibbs to nip in and win it back before firing into the top corner. Needlessly offside as Pearson headed home Evans’ crossed free kick shortly after the break, causing the goal to be ruled out. A shame, as other than those two costly moments he had a pretty good game.

Brodie Spencer - 6

Picked up a slightly unnecessary yellow card midway through the first half when Pearson looked to have Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan covered — but otherwise did his job well at the back against Reading’s most dangerous-looking player. Unleashed a fierce effort on goal shortly after Reading’s first-half equaliser that David Button had to turn over the bar. Made some good runs and got into promising positions but didn’t have the final ball to along with it. Unfortunate that his block on a short Reading corner went straight to Ben Elliott to smash the hosts into the lead.

David Kasumu - 7

Made his return from injury after over a month out, and looks not to have missed a step. Won the ball well throughout his time on the pitch and got Town on the front foot on several occasions by turning away from defenders to open up space for himself.

Jonathan Hogg - 6

Big defensive contribution on his return to the side, as you would expect, and kept his work on the ball simple with others asked to come up with the creativity — perhaps not entirely what Town needed after going behind, though, and was replaced for the final ten minutes.

Antony Evans - 6

A real mixed bag. Had his free kick tipped onto the crossbar with Pearson heading home the rebound, and briefly made everyone in the stadium think he’d scored from 30 yards when it had in fact hit the rear side of the net via the post behind the goal. Got away with playing a much-too-firm backpass to Chapman from the centre circle in the first half. Played in a cracking free kick delivery for Pearson to put home again, only for Lonwijk to be rightly adjudged offside and interfering with play. Increasingly over-elaborate and over-ambitious as the game went on.

Jaheim Headley - 5

Continued to look a lot more responsible with his defensive duties. Had some bright moments on the ball but decisions with his passing not always the best. Got a harsh yellow card after stopping a Reading counter-attack early in the second half…not sure it was a foul, but there we go.

Callum Marshall - 6

Played some neat little first-touch passes to teammates after receiving the ball outside the Reading box. Departed just after the hour having had just one tame long-range effort on goal but set up three other chances for teammates.

Josh Koroma - 4

Needs to take his share of the responsibility for Reading’s equaliser after his wayward pass didn’t just kill off a decent counter-attacking chance for Town, but gave the hosts possession in a dangerous area that they took full advantage of.

Substitutes

Lasse Sorensen (for Spencer 63) - Really energetic but unable to make a telling difference. 5

Bojan Radulovic (for Marshall 63) - Chased down the ball well and made numerous good runs and flick-ons that went unused. 6

Ben Wiles (for Kasumu 63) - A significant improvement on his recent efforts in terms of work rate and touch, but again, unable to wield much influence. 5

Mickel Miller (for Headley 63) - Back from his hamstring injury but looked well off the pace for his first ten minutes or so on the pitch before settling in a bit. 4

Joe Hodge (for Hogg 82) - n/a

Unused substitutes: Francis Hurl, Freddie Ladapo.

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