HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1, FULHAM 0
Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s own goal broke the home scoring drought at the fogbound John Smith’s Stadium, which had stretched to almost ten and a half hours, to hand Huddersfield Town their first win of the season.
It was ironic that Fulham’s poor defence would play an active role in conceding 29 goals in 11 league games this season – equalling Southampton’s unwanted record – as they sank to a sixth defeat in their last seven league games.
It was a welcome fillip for the Terriers, who hadn’t scored at home since April 14, as they moved to 18th with Fulham replacing them at the foot of the table.
It was a game of few solid chances (just three shots on target from both sides) but Town manager David Wagner and his team milked the adulation of their long suffering fans with a celebratory bow at the end.
There were three changes from last week’s defeat at Watford, with Terence Kongolo, Florent Hadgjonaj, and Steve Mounie coming in to the side at the expense of Erik Durm, Isaac Mbenza and Laurent Depoitre as boss David Wagner persisted with a 3-5-1-1 formation.
Fulham made just one change from the Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester City with Maxime Le Marchand replacing Tim Ream in defence.
With early chances at a premium – both sides showed just why they were languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League – it took 15 minutes for either side to have a shot on goal.
Town led the way after the cagey opening period.
Jonathan Hogg won the ball off Aleksandar Mitrovic and laid it off to Phillip Billing whose powerful dipping shot grazed the crossbar from 25 yards out.
Aaron Mooy’s cross was headed over the bar by Steve Mounie with the Terriers gaining in confidence.
The Terriers were having more joy attacking the Fulham goal but continued to lack the goal threat that had seen them go 630 minutes without a goal at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Alex Pritchard’s deflected shot on 28 minutes had to be palmed away for a corner by Sergio Rico as Town grew into their task.
And a minute later from the corner they finally broke their home duck a full 659 minutes into the drought when Chris Lowe’s corner was only half cleared.
Tim Fosu-Mensah’s own goal puts Fulham on back foot
The German crossed it back into the fray where it was flew into the net low to Rico’s left after Chris Schindler’s header took a deflection off Fosu-Mensah who had gone up to challenge the Town defender for the ball.
It summed up Town’s inability to score their own goals and reflected Fulham’s poor luck.
It was also a sure sign of Fulham’s defensive frailties – they couldn’t even clear a sustained attempt by Town to get the ball into their box close to the break – with Pritchard forcing Rico into another save after 43 minutes.
Mooy’s injury time first half corner was headed goalwards by Jonathan Hogg to be tipped away by Rico who wasn’t taking any chances.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic made a double change at the break, with Kevin McDonald and Cyrus Christie coming on for Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Luciano Vietto in a bid to find more width against the Terriers.
Town could have doubled their lead just three minutes into the second period, with Mooy flicking Mounie’s downward header over the bar from close range.
Laurent Depoitre replaced a decidedly unhappy looking Mounie after 56 minutes with Town comfortably keeping the Cottagers at bay.
Denis Odoi survived a shout for handball as he chased down a Mooy pass to Depoitre on the edge of his area as the Terriers continued their confident passing game.
Kevin McDonald injured less than 20 minutes after coming on
Fulham’s luck was out as McDonald had to be replaced after less than 20 minutes on the pitch following an injury – he was replaced by Stefan Johansen.
Pritchard’s half volley from a Town corner flew over the bar after 67 minutes.
Schurrle thought he had equalised for Fulham with 15 minutes to go but was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up. The German was offside again minutes later when Tom Cairney tried to play him through.
And Cairney won a free kick 30 yards out which Jean Michael Seri put wide.
Cairney found Shurrle with less than ten minutes to go but the German shot went wide across the Town goal as Fulham picked up the pace.
Iassac Mbenza came on for Pritchard with 8 minutes to go and was immediately through on goal after a great pass by Billing but skewed it well wide.
Seri’s late corner was headed over by Mitrovic with four minutes to go and Terence Kongolo was replaced in the final minute with Juninho Bacuna and Town kept the ball away from the luckless Cottagers to record their first win of the season.
MATCH STATS – Huddersfield Town 1, Fulham 0
Huddersfield Town: Lossl, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo (Bacuna 90), Hadergjonaj, Hogg, Mooy, Billing, Lowe, Pritchard (Mbenza 82), Mounie (Depoitre 56)
Huddersfield Town subs not used: Hamer, Smith, Sobhi, van La Parra
Booked: Mbenza 88
Goal: Fosu-Mensah og 29
Fulham: Rico, Fosu-Mensah (Christie 46), Odoi, Le Marchand, Ryan Sessegnon, Seri, Zambo Anguissa, Cairney, Vietto (McDonald 46, Johansen 65), Mitrovic, Schurrle
Fulham subs not used: Bettinelli, Chambers, Ream, Mawson
Booked: Fosu-Mensah 34, Mitrovic 76
Attendance: 21855 (681 Away Fans)