Huddersfield Town v Southampton – Player ratings

Huddersfield Town drew 0-0 with Southampton in their third Premier League game, giving them seven points from the first three games and sending them (briefly) back to the top of the table.

It was a stunning exhibition of counter-pressing football from Wagner’s men. Southampton looked visibly shocked by the intensity Town brought to the pitch and will consider themselves lucky to be taking a point back to the south coast.

This was another great team performance from Town, so it should be no surprise to see another set of high ratings.

Jonas Lössl – 8 out of 10

Once again his distribution was superb. OK, he played a few loose balls out from the back in the second half but he played some great balls too.

He also made another incredible save late in the game. He’s stopped what looked like certain goals in every game so far.
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Chris Löwe – 8 out of 10

Made a last ditch tackle which stopped a very promising chance. He has a brilliant ability to turn up just before the opponent shoots in the box.

He lost the flight of a ball at one point and missed his interception, which could have led to a Southampton goal. It’s forgivable because he’s bailed his team mates out from worse mistakes regularly in the first three Premier League games.
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Christopher Schindler – 8 out of 10

Some excellently tuned tackles and the odd foul. Either way, he didn’t let any Southampton player get past him.

I knew Schindler was a class player before this season but he’s showing himself to be incredible. He’s barely put a foot wrong yet and is a major reason we’ve kept three consecutive clean sheets.
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Zanka – 8 out of 10

His best performance in the short time at the club. Defensively very solid and clever with his passing. The odd ball went astray but he did pretty well.

Maybe he’s starting to feel settled at Town now because he looked more composed and comfortable on the ball.
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Tommy Smith – 8 out of 10

He’s back! The overlapping runs returned and he linked up well with Kachunga. He made Nathaniel Redmond look ordinary at times, and forced him onto the backfoot with his forward runs.

Smith faded in the second half but overall it was a return to last season’s form. He also managed to save the point for Town with a goal-line clearance late in the game.
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Philip Billing – 7 out of 10

The good things I saw Philip Billing do today were the valuable but not spectacular bits and pieces Jonathan Hogg is so good at. He linked play up for us, broke up possession for Southampton, and kept very busy in the middle.

The intensity of Town’s pressing meant that he faded in the second half, so it was good management from Wagner to sub him for Williams.
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Aaron Mooy 9 out of 10

Like a shark, Mooy is always moving. He popped up everywhere and dictated play for Town. In both attack and defence he was brilliant. The best player on the pitch, which is saying something when you look at Southampton’s team.

I hope that Australian coaches take care of him while he’s on international duty, because he’s at the middle of every good thing Town do.
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Rajiv van La Parra – 6 out of 10

Six is probably a bit harsh because he put a lot of balls in the box. I’m giving him the lower score because he continually slowed the game down by trying to beat men.

I love watching a winger get the better of his fullback but sometimes the simple ball to a teammate will keep the game moving.
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Tom Ince – 7 out of 10

Grafted and looked dangerous without creating many clear cut chances. I don’t think the number 10 role is his best position, he looked most threatening in the channels.

It’s still early in his return to the Premier League but I think it would be good for him to get a goal soon, to give him a confidence boost.
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Elias Kachunga – 8 out of 10

It’s no coincidence that Tommy Smith’s improved performance also saw Kachunga play his best Premier League game too.

Kachunga and Smith made Redmond and Bertrand look silly at times. Seeing the two Southampton men bicker with each other proved to me they’d lost their respective battles.

He could have scored from a Fraser Forster error but couldn’t find the net when the ball fell to him. It’s a shame because he deserved a goal for the effort he put in.
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Steve Mounié – 8 out of 10

Looks a constant threat but didn’t get on the score sheet. His all round game was excellent though. He ran an awful lot, won plenty on the air and was always available.

Having a player like Mounié means we’ve got the option to play long if we want. Lössl’s kicking is good enough to pick out Mounié and means we don’t always have to play it short.

I’d not want to see Town lump it up to the big man every time but it’s good to have as an option.

Substitutes

Kasey Palmer 8 out 10

Looked confident and skillful on the ball. He had plenty of possession and looked like the ball was glued to his foot at times.

He regularly dropped deeper and helped out in midfield, which gave us a bit more presence and helped is keep the ball.

Danny Williams – 7 out of 10

Did exactly what was asked of him. Added some energy in the middle of the park when other players were starting to tire.

He did well and might give Wagner a selection headache for the West Ham away game. I don’t think he’s got the passing ability of Mooy or Billing but he can cover a lot of ground and adds a physical presence in the centre of the pitch.

Collin Quaner – N/A

Big Col didn’t have a chance to make an impact on the game due to coming onto the pitch late on. I still love watching him play football and think he’s got a useful part to play this season.