Huddersfield Town player ratings as Southampton hit back to win thriller
Marks out of ten from an absolutely pulsating Championship trip to the south coast
Lee Nicholls - 6
Had absolutely no chance of stopping Joe Rothwell’s superbly-hit volley into the top corner, nor his deflected effort moments later, nor any of the later strikes. Made Adam Armstrong look silly in a one-on-one with a dinked effort that the keeper didn’t buy for a second, simply plucking the ball out of the air.
Matty Pearson - 6
Had his head in his hands after missing a great chance to nod Town in front in the early going, getting up well to meet a Sorba Thomas free kick only to head it onto his own shoulder and over the bar. Stood solid and put in plenty of brave work at the back. Was wrong-footed by Sam Edozie as he put the result beyond doubt.
Tom Lees - 6
Broke the line early to try and stop Southampton before they could play the final ball and usually got it right, but did err on one or two occasions. Unfortunate only to be able to get a toe onto Rothwell’s second goal that took it past Nicholls, and doubly so that his effort to cut out a cross went into the bottom corner for an own goal. Unable to get a solid enough block on Southampton’s fourth goal or win a tackle for the fifth.
Yuta Nakayama - 6
Made his return to the side after a month away on international duty, starting on the left of the back three. Remained composed and stepped in to cover whenever Lees stepped out, but positioning questionable on Southampton’s crucial fourth goal.
David Kasumu - 8
Started at right wing-back after missing last weekend’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday through illness. Claimed his first goal for the club by smashing Sorba Thomas’ cutback in off the underside of the crossbar. Made up for his otherwise limited work on the ball with a massive work rate and solid defensive work.
Alex Matos - 8
Huge effort to be the first Town midfielder in the press while still making sure he got back to help in and around his own box. Deserved the stroke of luck he got with his shot taking a heavy deflection that took it over the flailing Gavin Bazunu.
Jonathan Hogg - 7
Positioned himself higher up the pitch than usual both on and off the ball to largely good effect, helping to squeeze the space available for Southampton to play out.
Brodie Spencer - 9
Stayed on the left, but now in a high-pressing wing-back role that saw him alternating with Kasumu as to who pushed forward and who stayed back to form a back four depending on which side Southampton had the ball on. Played an essential part in the build-up to both of Town’s first-half goals, giving the ball to the eventual assist-maker in both cases, then provided the assist for Matos’ deflected effort. Had to be substituted with Town leading 2-3 after picking up a knock and was badly missed.
Sorba Thomas - 8
Had to operate in a lot of tight spaces but was a very useful provider of essential passes in Town’s build-up play. Smashed home the opening goal and turned provided in near-identical style as Kasumu’s strike doubled the lead. Should have done more to track Ryan Manning as he crossed for the Lees own goal that made it 3-3.
Josh Koroma - 7
Played through the middle of Town’s front three and made a nuisance of himself, with his positioning inside the box providing a very useful decoy for Thomas and Kasumu to finish cutbacks that ran past Koroma. Constantly in motion either trying to close opponents down or provide an attacking option, but not quite able to find that crucial finish or final ball.
Jack Rudoni - 8
Initially the nominal left winger in Town’s new-look 3-4-3 having also missed last weekend’s Yorkshire derby through illness, but switched flanks with Thomas after just a few minutes then kept switching intermittently throughout the game. Great cutback for the goal that Koroma was unable to meet under pressure but had enough pace on it to run through for Thomas to finish. Linked up well with Spencer on the left and looked a threat inside the box throughout much of the second half. Worked incredibly hard, as ever.
Substitutes
Ben Jackson (for Spencer 67) - Took one for the team with a cynical foul to stop a counter-attack and earn himself a yellow card. Contributed to a gap left in the back line for Southampton’s fourth then had his clearance blocked for their fifth. 4
Pat Jones (for Koroma 76) - Made his long-awaited return from injury after four months out, taking over as the lone striker in a bid to make use of his pace, but didn’t get a sniff of the ball. Then saw out the game on the left wing after Bojan Radulovic’s introduction. Understandably looked a bit rusty with his touch. 5
Brahima Diarra (for Hogg 87) - n/a
Bojan Radulovic (for Kasumu 87) - n/a
Ben Wiles (for Matos 87) - n/a
Substitutes: Giosue Bellagambi, Chris Maxwell, Tom Edwards, Tom Iorpenda.
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