Huddersfield Town ratings as ten-man Terriers bravely hold on for impressive point
Leeds United found an response to substitute Michal Helik's opener after Jonathan Hogg was dismissed, but a battling performance protected a lovely derby point
Lee Nicholls - 8
Called into action early on by Patrick Bamford but made a good stop with his feet. Solid outing and dealt capably with Leeds’ many set pieces into the box. Picked up a knock coming out to punch one of those late on, but was able to see the game out.
Brodie Spencer - 8
Shifted over to right-back in Andre Breitenreiter’s starting line-up as Town changed shape to 4-3-3, but had to move back to the left after Yuta Nakayama went off injured. Made numerous excellent challenges and showed brilliant composure throughout the game. Super showing.
Matty Pearson - 7
Started well at centre-back before being moved across to right-back midway through the first half following Nakayama’s injury. A slightly lucky boy not to be shown a straight red card for a high challenge that caught Crysencio Summerville fully in mid-calf, for which we have to take him down a mark. Overall superb game, though, in both roles, with his ability to block crosses especially important in the second half with Town under heavy pressure.
Tom Lees - 8
Did an excellent job sweeping up any attempts at through balls his former club tried to play in behind him on the edge of the Town third — just read it all superbly. Vital intervention to stop a very dangerous cross with five minutes to go.
Yuta Nakayama - 6
The starting left-back, but was forced to go off after being unlucky enough to be taken out by a Jonathan Hogg tackle on Summerville that saw the Leeds man fall onto Nakayama’s leg.
David Kasumu - 8
Restored to central midfield as part of Town’s midfield trio. Played an important role in the Town press early on, stepping out capably to shut down any centre-backs who got away from Danny Ward and Jack Rudoni. Went down with a knock just after the half hour mark but was able to continue. Had to play on a tightrope following his first-half booking but kept his head and did well.
Jonathan Hogg - 4
Had an overall good first half but was rightfully booked for his foul on Summerville, and, having been booked, should have known he was playing with fire sticking his elbow up and out for his second yellow in first-half injury time — even if the Leeds man made a meal of it. Put the side in a difficult position for the second half despite being a goal ahead.
Sorba Thomas - 7
Trademark great delivery on the free kick from which Town scored the opener, finding Danny Ward’s header with Michal Helik putting in the rebound. A good counter-attacking outlet for Town when down to ten men. Came out of position to open up the space inside the box from which Callum Roberts provided Patrick Bamford’s equaliser.
Jack Rudoni - 8
Effectively (in every sense) pressed as a centre-forward alongside Danny Ward to allow Sorba Thomas and Delano Burgzorg to concentrate on defending the flanks. Would then drop back to a number 10 role when Town had possession. Moved over to the right wing in a 4-4-1 for the second half and did a very responsible job. Reacted quickly to narrow Summerville’s angle as the Leeds winger clipped the post late on.
Delano Burgzorg - 7
Had an early lapse in his defensive work down the left flank that contributed to Leeds’ very early shot on goal, but was more or less spot on with his work off the ball thereafter. Caused Leeds some issues with his running on the ball and was an important player in the Leeds counter. Took over at centre-forward at half time.
Danny Ward - 7
The lone striker in the Town front three following his match-winning exploits from the bench at Vicarage Road last time out. Good header on goal on the way to Helik putting it away, and a brilliant determined run from a corner just before the break to get back and stop a Leeds counter at the last pass. Sacrificed at the interval as Breitenreiter had to restore numbers to midfield following Hogg’s red card.
Substitutes
Michal Helik (for Nayakama 25) - Made a welcome return to action after five games out, taking over from Pearson at centre-back as Breitenreiter was forced to re-shuffle his back line. True to form, immediately got back among the goals, converting the rebound after Illan Meslier could only parry Ward’s header. Great, calm and commanding defensive performance to boot. 8
Alex Matos (for Ward 45) - Replaced Hogg’s steel in midfield and proved excellent at breaking up the Leeds attack with his fearless and well-timed tackling. Passing was lacking but his ball-carrying went a very long way to relieving the pressure; so given the circumstances, fine. 7
Jaheim Headley (for Spencer 72) - Another welcome comeback after being out injured since new year’s day. Big-pressure moment for the youngster to come on with the game still poised at 1-1, but proved to be up to the task, despite Dan James giving him a late scare from which he had to recover to win the challenge at the second attempt, and happily took a yellow card in injury time to stop a Leeds break from a Town set piece. 7
Josh Koroma (for Burgzorg 72) - The third man to play the lone centre-forward role on the day, bringing renewed energy off the ball in a bid to stop Leeds building out so easily and constantly offering himself for the long option on the counter. 7
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Tom Edwards, Brahima Diarra, Ben Wiles, Bojan Radulovic.
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