Huddersfield secured their Premier League status with a valiant 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge which significantly dented Chelsea’s slim top-four hopes.
The Terriers drew at Manchester City on Sunday and claimed another point against City’s predecessors as champions after Laurent Depoitre stunned the hosts with an opportunist strike.
Although Mathias Jorgensen’s attempted clearance ricocheted in off Marcos Alonso’s face for a Chelsea equaliser, Huddersfield held on to survive ahead of Sunday’s game with Arsenal.
What they said
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte:“The situation wasn’t in our hands before this game and after this draw the possibilities are less than before. I’m realistic. I think at the end of the season you finish in the position that you deserve.”
Huddersfield manager David Wagner: “This is an over-achievement. For me personally it’s a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. This season we were predicted as the team to get relegated by miles and I understand it. It feels like another trophy for the football club.”
Tweet of the match
Star man – Jonas Lossl
Lossl was kept busy in the Huddersfield goal and with their place in the Premier League hanging by a thread, Lossl pulled off a stunning save to push Andreas Christensen’s header onto the post. Even Sir Patrick Stewart watching on from the stands would have been impressed with that. Lossl was called upon shortly afterwards to save an Alvaro Morata strike and the point that keeps Town up was down to his goalkeeping.
Moment of the match
Huddersfield showed Chelsea how to be clinical in front of goal when they sprang a counter-attack after Willian appealed for a free-kick. Aaron Mooy played on and spotted Laurent Depoitre’s run. After having his initial effort saved by Willy Caballero, Depoitre remained calm to score after Antonio Rudiger’s slip made the task easier.
Data point
Depoitre’s goal was his first in 17 games and his first since scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Southampton. It was the Belgium international’s sixth goal of the season and all six have come in the Premier League.
Terriers stay up
It may not have been the prettiest of the 37 points Huddersfield have earned this season, but nobody associated with the Terriers will care as the draw was enough to secure their place in the Premier League next season.
Ratings
Chelsea: Willy Caballero 6, Antonio Rudiger 5, Andreas Christensen 6, Cesar Azpilicueta 6, Marcos Alonso 6, Cesc Fabregas 6, N’Golo Kante 6, Davide Zappacosta 6, Alvaro Morata 6, Pedro 6, Willian 7. Substitutes:Olivier Giroud (54, for Zappacosta) 6, Eden Hazard (59, for Pedro) 6
Huddersfield: Jonas Lossl 8, Tommy Smith 7, Terence Kongolo 7, Chris Lowe 7, Zanka 7, Christopher Schindler 7, Jonathan Hogg 7, Philip Billing 7, Aaron Mooy 7, Rajiv van La Parra 7, Laurent Depoitre 8. Substitutes: Alex Pritchard (53, for van La Parra) 7, Florent Hadergjonaj (62, for Lowe) 7, Scott Malone (85 for Smith) 6
Who’s up next?
Newcastle v Chelsea, Premier League, Sunday May 13
Huddersfield v Arsenal, Premier League, Sunday May 13
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