HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1, NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
One moment of quality settled this game and it was Aaron Mooy’s goal, early in the second half, which earned the points for Huddersfield Town in a carnival atmosphere at the John Smith’s Stadium and ensured a two-win start to the Terriers’ maiden Premier League campaign.
Newcastle had good chances to score themselves but were penalised by poor finishing – Matt Ritchie, Joselu and Ayoze Perez spurned clear chances while Jacob Murphy’s chance was blocked by Chris Lowe late on.
A downbeat Magpies manager Rafa Benitez admitted that Newcastle weren’t ready for the Premier League and the Terriers had home advantage with fans behind them.
“It’s a learning process and we have to learn quickly.” he said.
With the transfer window still open Benitez added that Newcastle were “working behind the scenes”, adding:
“We must keep working hard, get better in defence, and take our chances.”
Jubilant Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner poured praise on match winner Aaron Mooy and was delighted that Town, in contrast with Newcastle had spent early and wisely.
Wagner said: “He was one of our priorities. We signed him very early. We were in a lot of talks during the playoffs. What happens if we get promoted? He gave us a sign that he wanted to stay.
“He doesn’t say much or smile a lot but he deserves all the credit for his goal.
“He’s a great technical footballer with such an unbelievable working attitude”
After winning their first two games in the Premier League, Wagner was also happy with the work rate of the squad and the support that the fans had given from the stands.
He added: “If someone says in football that anything is possible after what we felt last season – we only wanted to be brave in every single game and search for our chance.
“We were one of the fittest teams in the Championship and I have no doubt also in the Premier League because we need it for this style of high intensity football.
“We’ve done it so far and we are over the moon with six points and [two] clean sheets. I’m happy they weren’t lucky but deserved.
“The next two games are an even bigger six points and we must invest everything to get them.
“This was a proper Premier League atmosphere. I asked for something extraordinary from the fans and they delivered and I am glad we were able to pay them back.
“We need the support and energy from the stands. I didn’t have to pinch [myself] but I didn’t expect it.”
Town had won their opening game in the Premier League 3-0 at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace and made only one change from that winning side with Rajiv van La Parra replacing Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer.
Van La Parra added an extra attacking dimension to the Terriers’ outlook against the Magpies.
They faced a weakened Newcastle United side without the suspended Jonjo Shelvey plus injured defenders Florian Lejeune and Paul Dummett.
They were replaced by Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba and Mikel Merino.
The Terriers were all industry and pressing and created strong chances for Aaron Mooy and Tom Ince which didn’t overly tax Rob Elliot in the Newcastle goal but the organised Magpies kept their hosts at bay, allowing Aaron Mooy the freedom of the park, but reduced them to hopeful shots from distance.
Newcastle had a couple of weak shots for penalties, most notably when Chris Schindler cleared the ball from Dwight Gayle and cleared out the Magpies striker in the follow-up while Matt Ritchie had a decent chance tipped away by Jonas Lossl.
Christian Atsu’s header had earlier appeared to come off Chris Lowe’s hand but there was little fanfare over that either.
Steve Mounie toiled upfront for Town as the spaces closed up when Town tried to approach the Newcastle goal.
Five minutes after the break the John Smith’s Stadium was on its feet as Aaron Mooy, unmarked, drifted towards the edge of the box and scored.
The Australian exchanged passes with Elias Kachunga and curled a wonderful shot past Elliot inside the far post after a 14 pass move – the most for any build-up to a goal in the Premier League so far this season.
With the John Smith’s atmosphere reignited, Newcastle became rattled and began to look more direct. Substitute Joselu was booked for a challenge on Jonas Lossl while Billing was booked for bringing down Atsu.
Newcastle had two great chances to equalise after 68 minutes – Joselu’s scuffed shot was tipped away by Lossl and the resulting corner was volleyed over the bar by Perez from 6 yards out a minute later.
Yellow cards were flashed in the second half as things became more physical and Newcastle substitute Jacob Murphy was denied a late shooting chance when he was blocked by Chris Lowe with a last ditch tackle.
In the end, victory moved Huddersfield up to second in the Premier League table with yet another one-goal victory – last season 22 out of their 25 victories in the Championship were with a one goal margin – while Newcastle slumped to 17th with no points and a crisis brewing.
Huddersfield Town: Lossl, Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe, Mooy, Billing, Kachunga, van La Parra, Ince, Mounie
Huddersfield Town Subs: Coleman, Malone, Lolley, Williams, Quaner, Hefele, Palmer
Newcastle United: Elliot, Mbemba, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo, Merino, Hayden, Ritchie, Perez, Atsu, Gayle
Newcastle United Subs: Jacob Murphy, Diame, Aarons, Joselu, Saivet, Darlow, Mitrovic
Attendance: 24128 (2168 from Newcastle)
MOM: Aaron Mooy
What’s Next? Huddersfield host Rotherham United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Newcastle United host Nottingham Forest in the same competition.