10 man Huddersfield town brought Leeds United’s winning run in the championship to an end with a battling performance and earned a draw in a fiery encounter at the John Smith’s Stadium . A result that is massive at both ends of the table and where Leeds will feel they didn’t do enough to win that game. The result left Leeds still unbeaten in the championship in 2024 and in 2nd on 73 points, the draw lifted the terries up to 19th before the 3pm kick-offs.
In the lunch time kick off in the Championship, Huddersfield Town took on Leeds United at the John Smith stadium. Huddersfield came into this on the back of an impressive win away at Watford, whilst Leeds came into this on the back of a massive win over Leicester last Friday night and a impressive performance away at Chelsea despite the result. The last time these two played it ended up 4-0 to Leeds United at Elland Road.
First chance of the game, came the way of the visitors, Rutter played in Gnonto, who found Kamara, who passed it to Summerville instead of shooting and the Dutchman’s shot was saved Nicholls from close range.
82 percent of Possession for Leeds in the opening 10 minutes, Huddersfield were happy to let Leeds have the ball and sit back in numbers and try and frustrate the visitors, however on the 20th minute Rudoni from 20 yards out forced Illan Meslier into a save, then from the corner, Rudoni flicked the ball goalwards and forced Meslier into another save at his near post.
Despite early Leeds pressure, Huddersfield grew more and more into the game, winning yet another corner with Burgzorg getting past Firpo, before his cross was blocked. Joe Rodon had to block Danny Wards volley for another Huddersfield corner.
Huddersfield were forced into a change after Nakayama got caught by Jonathan Hogg’s challenge on Crysencio Summerville and couldn’t get out of the way and was replaced by Micheal Helik.
Leeds won a free-kick with Pearson climbing all over Gnonto and the referee had no choice but to award a free-kick, The free-kick came out to Kamara who miscued a pass, which allowed Huddersfield to break , Archie Gray did brilliantly to stop Thomas and Huddersfield however Huddersfield won the ball back and won another corner.
Pearson who fouled Gnonto a few minutes earlier, booked for a tackle on Summerville, no complaints, studs down the back of Summerville’s leg. Then Bamford booked for tripping Rudoni. A very stop-start first half, with injuries and lots of fouls.
In the 45th minute, Huddersfield took the lead, Micheal Helik smashed home after Meslier saved Ward’s header from Thomas’ free-kick, fully deserved.
Then in the 48th minute, Jonathan Hogg was sent off, caught Firpo with an arm , and Andrew Kitchen had no option but to give Hogg a second yellow card, could easily of been a straight red card.
Rutter passed the ball out of play, which summed up Leeds’s first half, then Gruev fouled Burzord for no reason, which ended with a Town Corner.
That was Half Time, Huddersfield stopped Leeds from playing their free flowing football in that half.
Alex Matos replaced Danny Ward for Huddersfield.
Rutter did brilliantly to get past a couple of Huddersfield defenders, however his final attempt on goal was wayward and wide, which summed up the Frenchmen’s game up to that point.
Despite Huddersfield being down to 10 men, Leeds didn’t threaten Huddersfield or Nicholls in the Huddersfield goal anywhere near enough in the 10 minutes after half time, made it far too easy for Huddersfield and tried to walk the ball in the net at times.
In the 58th minute, a chance for Pearson who headed wide from a Thomas corner, corners all day caused Leeds problems,
Daniel Farke had seen enough and decided to make a triple substitution ,Joel Piroe, Dan James and Conor Roberts all on replacing, Willy Gnonto, Glen Kamara and Archie Gray.
Out of nowhere, in the 66th minute, Leeds United were level, Dan James found Conor Roberts who played it across goal, and Bamford couldn’t miss, had a very quiet game up to then, but was in the right place when it mattered.
A massive test for Huddersfield , the changes did wonders for Leeds, The visitors looked a completely different team to that 15 minutes ago .
in the 79th minute, a massive chance for Leeds, Georginho Rutter, headed over from a Dan James corner, a free header and should of done a lot better.
Then in the 85th minute, Leeds hit the post, Summerville onto his right foot and hit the outside of the post, with his quality and how good he’s been this season, you feel like he had to score that.
It finished 1-1 at the John Smith stadium. A brilliant effort by Huddersfield town, considering they were down to 10 men, however an off day for Daniel Farke’s Leeds who created very little despite having a man advantage.