Elias Kachunga scored a first half brace to help Huddersfield to their 12th win of the campaign in a 2-1 victory over fellow promotion contenders Norwich.
The game got off to a remarkable start with only 5 minutes on the clock, Huddersfield attacked with pace and caught the Canaries out in controversial circumstances.
Kasey Palmer began the move with a sharp turn and sprint at the Norwich back line before releasing the ball to Tommy Smith on the right, who with a first time cross, found Kachunga lurking at the far post to put Town ahead. Replays showed the German was slightly offside but the goal stood and David Wagner’s men had the perfect start.
Only 66 seconds later, Norwich were level. Robbie Brady hooked a high ball into the box from the left and Jonny Howson was there to nod in his 4th goal of the season.
Despite the set back, Huddersfield were dominating and controlling the ball for large parts of the first half. Rajiv Van La Parra saw his effort curl just wide of the far right post.
In the 38th minute, Town should’ve been back in front after a dreadful backpass attempt was pounced upon by Nahki Wells, but the Bermudian’s first touch took the ball away from him slightly and Sebastian Bassong recovered quickly to block Wells from putting Huddersfield back ahead.
Two minutes later, Town did retake the lead. Kachunga, the man causing problems at the heart of the Norwich defence, was allowed too much space to drift into the area after a neat one-two with Tommy Smith and toe-poke in his 9th of the campaign.
Alex Neil threw on Alexander Tettey for Youssouf Mulumbu at the break in a quest to find an equalizer, and the substitution injected life back into the home side.
Just before the hour mark, young defender Jon Gorenc-Stankovic miscued his clearance completely and Nelson Oliveira capitalized on the error but his lob over Ward bounced wide of the target.
Huddersfield-born Cameron Jerome and Scotsman Steven Naismith came on as subs for Norwich as they tried to draw level, with Huddersfield clinging on.
In stoppage time, a Norwich corner was met by Bassong, but his bullet header went the wrong side of the post and Huddersfield claimed the three points in a thrilling Sky Bet Championship contest.
The result means Huddersfield will sit fourth on Christmas Day, not a side many predicted to be inside the playoff positions at the midway point of the campaign.
Meanwhile the pressure is cranked up on Norwich boss Alex Neil as they fall to a seventh defeat in their last nine Championship fixtures.
Player Ratings:
Huddersfield Town:
Danny Ward 7, Tommy Smith 9, Jon Gorenc-Stankovic 7, Christopher Schindler 7, Chris Löwe 7, Jonathan Hogg 8, Aaron Mooy 9, Elias Kachunga 9, Kasey Palmer 9, Rajiv Van La Parra 7, Nahki Wells 7.
Substitutes:
Harry Bunn 6, Phillip Billing 6, Micheal Hefele N/A.
Norwich City:
John Ruddy 6, Ivo Pinto 6, Sebastian Bassong 7, Ryan Bennett 6, Martin Olsson 7, Youssouf Mulumbu 6, Graham Dorrans 6, Jacob Murphy 7, Jonny Howson 8, Robbie Brady 7, Nelson Oliviera 7.
Substitutes:
Alexander Tettey 7, Cameron Jerome 6, Steven Naismith 6.
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