Huddersfield Town ratings: Second-half fightback stopped at stalemate at Blackpool
The Terriers went in 2-0 down a the break after a dreadful first-half performance but scored twice in the first four minutes of the second half to earn a 2-2 draw
Five conclusions on this game are here!
Jacob Chapman - 4
Selected over the returning Lee Nicholls. A bit slow to respond to Rob Apter’s shot to the bottom corner, though may have been wrong-footed. Beaten by a lob from a narrow angle that may have been intended as a cross, only to be rescued by a goalline clearance. Parried Ashley Fletcher’s cross into the dangerzone then unable to keep out his shot despite getting a hand to it. Kicking erratic.
Ollie Turton - 5
Constantly overloaded on his side, through no particular fault of his own — needed more support from basically anyone. Had a couple of chances to get crosses into the box at the end of good Town attacks but never able to find a man.
Matty Pearson - 4
Should really have opened the scoring inside ten minutes off Tom Lees’ cross, but didn’t connect properly with his header and could only glance it wide. Booked before the break for a cynical foul. Didn’t look comfortable playing in a back four, leaving a huge gap to poor Turton and struggling with his one v one defending. Better after the break, in common with all his colleagues, and especially after Town went to a proper back three.
Tom Lees - 5
Put in that cross for Pearson after pulling off a Cruyff turn in the box. Didn’t deal with Apter on his way into the box. Had a good header brilliantly saved at 2-2 after staying up from a corner.
Brodie Spencer - 8
Played left-back. Got back into position after being caught pressing upfield, only to be beaten too easily by Apter just outside the box on the way to Blackpool’s early goal. Struggled against Apter for much of the first half. Brilliantly got the ball off the line after Chapman was lobbed, heading it off back into play off the underside of the bar. Far, far better defensively after the break and looked an attacking threat. Got the benefit of a huge deflection for his goal (yes he did, Raj), but great endeavour and reactions to make the chance for himself in the first place. Great cross for Lees on the saved effort.
Ben Wiles - 4
Had a first-half effort cleared off the line from a narrow angle. Had some bright moments in Town’s rare better attacks but took heavy touches at other times. Lost the ball to start the Blackpool move that produced their second goal, failing to win a tackle in the box to boot. Tracked back well consistently, to his credit, with one tackle on halfway late on earning a deserved roar from the crowd.
Joe Hodge - 5
Played as the lone deep-lying midfielder and looked isolated as a result, with a huge chasm between him and the rest of the midfield. Tried hard to overcome that but just a massive task. Taken off at half time.
Herbie Kane - 4
Not in the game nearly enough and was sacrificed at the break.
Joe Taylor - 7
Straight into the starting line-up. Had little to work with first half but quickly got Town back into the game with a brilliantly-taken debut goal, taking down Antony Evans’ looping cross before turning and firing a powerful effort through a crowd and past the keeper — his only notable involvement, but really made it count. Went off just before the hour with Town presumably managing his minutes after not playing much at Luton.
Dion Charles - 6
Another debutant, playing alongside Taylor in a lopsided 4-3-3. Can see what Michael Duff means about him being a pest to play against. Really good with his link-up play with a few smart touches and reverse passes.
Josh Koroma - 6
Played a part in Town’s better moments in the first half an kept that up after the break, with one ball for Dion Charles particularly eye catching.
Substitutes
Antony Evans (for Hodge 46) - Brought an instant improvement to the Town midfield with his quality and energy. The key difference-maker in the turnaround, claiming an assist and making Town much more convincing with their attacking play. 8
Jonathan Hogg (for Kane 46) - A better fit for the defensive midfield job in the face of Blackpool’s counters. Played a couple of lovely balls for Marshall to run onto. Really good showing. 8
Callum Marshall (for Taylor 57) - Fresh legs for the press and for the attack. 6
Radinio Balker (for Koroma 68) - Played on the left of the back three with Spencer going to wing-back. Immediately gave Blackpool a chance on goal with a rash pass that rebounded off an opponent. Settled in fine after that and offered plenty on the ball. 6
Rhys Healey (for Charles 83) - Made a surprise return from injury and made a nuisance of himself, as is his way. n/a
Unused substitutes: Lee Nicholls, Neo Eccleston
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