Huddersfield Town player ratings as Birmingham City draw all but confirms relegation
The Terriers will be a League One club next season after their second-half fightback was not enough to take things to the final day
Lee Nicholls - 6
Considered his options well with his distribution and invariably got it right when mopping up balls over the top. Left with little chance on the goal and didn’t have any other memorably saves to make.
Matty Pearson - 7
Back to no-nonsense centre-back work with Ollie Pearson taking over out wide — that’s just what we want to see from Pearson.
Michal Helik - 7
The newly re-crowned player of the year. Lined up in the new-look back three with Tom Lees out with an MCL injury. Got forward several times from open play and looked convincing doing so. Had a really strong second half in particular.
Brodie Spencer - 5
Town’s left-sided centre-back, though would shift out to become the covering left-back when it become a four to allow Josh Koroma to get forward. Patchy in his performance, with some really good challenges and alert play alongside a couple of moments when he switched off to Koji Miyoshi’s threat — including for Birmingham’s first-half goal. Much more solid after the interval.
Ollie Turton - 7
Into the starting line-up for the first time this season, and immediately offered a bit more of what you would expect from deep up the flanks. Fantastic ball down the line for Jack Rudoni to provide Rhys Healey’s equaliser.
Alex Matos - 5
Started brightly enough with some good defensive work on the cover for teammates and got involved in and around the box, including working hard to create a decent Rudoni chance. Unfortunately lapsed into a more sloppy spell in the latter stages of the first half in which he struggled to stay in control of the ball. Needed to be strongest against Keshi Anderson as he crossed for Miyoshi to score the opener. Better again after the break, as with the rest of the side, before going off for Ben Wiles.
David Kasumu - 6
Made numerous interceptions and good challenges in an effort to get Town on the front foot, and as often as not the man to drive the ball up the the pitch. Frustratingly wayward with his passing in a couple of important stages of the attack.
Josh Koroma - 3
Operated as Town’s left wing-back in the change of shape. Had to be instructed on his positioning after a few early mix-ups with Spencer and failed to heed those warnings, giving the makeshift centre-back too little support — a really poor first period. Started the second half better but was taken off just before the hour.
Jack Rudoni - 8
Almost played two roles in the team, coming behind Matos and Kasumu when required to help build the play before overlapping them to become the attacking midfield fulcrum. Went close with a bouncing volley with the deadlock still unbroken. Kept plugging away and was rewarded with an assist moments after the break after Turton picked out his run up the right. Finished the game at left wing-back to make way for others. Incredible work rate all game long.
Danny Ward - 6
Understandably frustrated at the rather physical attention het got from Birmingham’s defenders to no punishment from the officials.. Put in the yards well both in defence and in attack, and went agonisingly close with a late effort from just outside the box. Had nothing left to give by the end having run himself into the ground.
Rhys Healey - 6
Had to be patient to get his first real chance of the game but put it away confidently and well. Another who put in a hell of a shift right to the end as the desperation grew and grew.
Substitutes
Sorba Thomas (for Koroma 58) - Took over at left wing-back in a bid to give Birmingham something different to deal with. Quickly played a good ball in for Rudoni that was cut out by a good bit of defending. 6
Ben Wiles (for Matos 68) - Saw out the game in central midfield. Made a vital challenge on Ethan Laird to stop a late counter off a Town set piece. 6
Bojan Radulovic (for Turton 79) - Sent on in a roll of the dice from Andre Breitenreiter knowing a winner was needed, but unable to make a difference. n/a
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Tom Edwards, Jaheim Headley, Ben Jackson, Tom Iorpenda, Delano Burgzorg.
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