Huddersfield secured their Premier League status with a valiant 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge which significantly dented Chelsea’s slim top-four hopes.
The Terriers drew at Manchester City on Sunday and claimed another point against City’s predecessors as champions after Laurent Depoitre stunned the hosts with an opportunist strike.
Although Mathias Jorgensen’s attempted clearance ricocheted in off Marcos Alonso’s face for a Chelsea equaliser, Huddersfield held on to survive ahead of Sunday’s game with Arsenal.
90′ FULL-TIME #cfc 1-1 #htafc: WE HAVE DONE IT! WE ARE STAYING UP! (AT) pic.twitter.com/3wY2gaTAjP
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) May 9, 2018
What they said
?? This man. #htafc (AT) pic.twitter.com/auLvB0jV92
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) May 9, 2018
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte:“The situation wasn’t in our hands before this game and after this draw the possibilities are less than before. I’m realistic. I think at the end of the season you finish in the position that you deserve.”
Huddersfield manager David Wagner: “This is an over-achievement. For me personally it’s a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. This season we were predicted as the team to get relegated by miles and I understand it. It feels like another trophy for the football club.”
Tweet of the match
Well played @htafcdotcom on retaining their Premier League status. A genuinely brilliant achievement. ??
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 9, 2018
Star man – Jonas Lossl
Moment of the match
? @laudepoitre celebrating the opening goal of the game as #htafc‘s lead has since been reduced by Marcos Alonso. 20 minutes remain, come on Town! (AT) pic.twitter.com/ebCbByjZxd
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) May 9, 2018
Huddersfield showed Chelsea how to be clinical in front of goal when they sprang a counter-attack after Willian appealed for a free-kick. Aaron Mooy played on and spotted Laurent Depoitre’s run. After having his initial effort saved by Willy Caballero, Depoitre remained calm to score after Antonio Rudiger’s slip made the task easier.
Data point
Terriers stay up
90′ FULL-TIME #cfc 1-1 #htafc: WE HAVE DONE IT! WE ARE STAYING UP! (AT) pic.twitter.com/3wY2gaTAjP
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) May 9, 2018
It may not have been the prettiest of the 37 points Huddersfield have earned this season, but nobody associated with the Terriers will care as the draw was enough to secure their place in the Premier League next season.
Ratings
The Blues have to settle for a draw tonight. #CHEHUD pic.twitter.com/tR1djOqNsb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 9, 2018
Chelsea: Willy Caballero 6, Antonio Rudiger 5, Andreas Christensen 6, Cesar Azpilicueta 6, Marcos Alonso 6, Cesc Fabregas 6, N’Golo Kante 6, Davide Zappacosta 6, Alvaro Morata 6, Pedro 6, Willian 7. Substitutes:Olivier Giroud (54, for Zappacosta) 6, Eden Hazard (59, for Pedro) 6
Huddersfield: Jonas Lossl 8, Tommy Smith 7, Terence Kongolo 7, Chris Lowe 7, Zanka 7, Christopher Schindler 7, Jonathan Hogg 7, Philip Billing 7, Aaron Mooy 7, Rajiv van La Parra 7, Laurent Depoitre 8. Substitutes: Alex Pritchard (53, for van La Parra) 7, Florent Hadergjonaj (62, for Lowe) 7, Scott Malone (85 for Smith) 6
Who’s up next?
Newcastle v Chelsea, Premier League, Sunday May 13
Huddersfield v Arsenal, Premier League, Sunday May 13
