Huddersfield Town won away at Crystal Palace. We won our first Premier League game. We won 3-0. I still can’t believe it. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see Town play in the Premier League in my lifetime, so to see us not only play but win convincingly was amazing.
Pundits and bookies were not ready for this. We’re supposed to be the whipping boys. Our lack of Premier League experience should mean we get walloped by established teams like Palace. David Wagner and his players haven’t read the script though, they decided to do things differently.
It was a great Huddersfield Town performance and summed up the kind of football we’ve aimed to play during the Wagner era. We weren’t always pretty and we rode our luck at times, but we played at a high-tempo, took risks and stopped the opposition from playing their game.
Bullyboy tactics?
The game started and Town seemed intent to kick Crystal Palace off the park. The referee seemed a bit too whistle happy, but we didn’t do ourselves any favours by flying into tackles. Perhaps it was nerves, maybe the players were too fired up for the game, or perhaps it was a tactical move to unnerve our opponents.
Giving away so many fouls early on was risky, but we did unsettle Palace and they clearly didn’t like being closed down so quickly when they had the ball. We kept this up over the 90-minutes, though conceded fewer fouls as the game went on. I think the counter-pressing from Town was the key to winning this game.
Frantic pressing football
The game was frantic at times, and there wasn’t much chance to play expansive football. In possession, Town tended to get the ball out wide and try to work the ball forward through the wingbacks, Smith and Löwe. Mooy managed to pick the ball up in advanced areas and helped us to keep possession in the final third with his strength and skill.
Every single Town player was energetically pressing the opposition the second we lost possession and Crystal Palace struggled to cope with the pressure. We regularly won the ball back in advanced positions and looked to break quickly when we took the ball off them.
Town’s first Premier League goal
Town’s first goal came from a corner and having seen it in the stadium and many times on replays, I still can’t quite work it out. Mooy delivered the ball into the box, Zanka got on the end of it, then a mad scramble led to Ward turning it into his own net. We were criticised for not scoring enough from set pieces last season, but it looks like corners and free kicks could be a valuable source of goals for us with the aerial threat we now have in the team, thanks to Zanka and Mounié coming in.
It was a bit surreal to see Town take the lead, and for it to be deserved. The atmosphere in the stands was electric. It already felt like a celebration before we scored but it was even better once we took the lead.
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Not long to wait for the second Premier League goal
The second goal came shortly after. Aaron Mooy did well to get the space to loop in a cross with his weaker foot. Mounié was in the perfect position and leapt like a salmon to smash home his header.
I’m sure Palace fans will be unhappy that we were given a free header just outside the six-yard box. But Mounié’s position was superb and he made certain the ball found the net.
Palace get back in the game
After Town went 2-0 up there was a stronger response from Palace. Zaha made several dangerous runs into the box but there always seemed to be a Town player to frustrate him. One time he did get through and shot on goal, but Lössl was out quickly and used the end of his toe to nudge it wide.
After the break Palace had their most dominant spell. Town kept their shape well and soaked up the pressure.
Substitutes playing their part
Tommy Smith was subbed early in the second-half. He did well against Zaha but gave away a lot of fouls and was on a yellow, so it was good management to replace him with Danny Williams.
Quaner came on for Palmer, so Ince went to the number ten role and Big Col played on the right.
There aren’t many wingers built like Collin Quaner. He’s big and awkward looking but he knows how to get good positions and lay on chances (just ask Sheffield Wednesday fans).
Mounié’s second goal makes it 3-0
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Collin made a trademark run and pass to set up Mounié’s second goal. It looked like a tap in from the stands, but the replay showed a classy curled shot to get past the keeper.
Last season we played a lot of square balls across the six-yard box which didn’t lead to goals. It’s great to finally have a striker with a sense for where the balls is going to be and the skill to finish the chances when they arrive.
A carnival atmosphere
Three nil up was unchartered territory for Town. There was a surreal moment where the Palace players looked to lose interest in the game. Town kept possession, the fans chanted “olé” with every pass.
“We are top of the league” rang out as Town managed out the game. Mounié could have scored a third but a last ditch challenge denied him the chance to shoot.
Terrier Spirit opinion
What a start! I’m going to let myself get carried away with this result. We’ve proved we can play our brand of football and win games against established Premier League clubs.
We might always have the luck we had at Selhurst Park. We’ll probably take the occasional drubbing. We might not even win another away game all season. I don’t care.
At the time of writing Huddersfield Town are top of the Premier League. Whatever happens next, we’ll always have this moment.
Want to read more?
Check out the Terrier Spirit player ratings for the Palace game.
Or read about 5 talking points from the Crystal Palace away game.
Wow, what a stunner of a result! We can shock the Premier League based on this and we can be better than relegation candidate material. Paul Merson, you just ate your own words and maybe you should not underestimate the power of the Terriers as much now.