Huddsf’ld 1 – 1 Stoke
Championship promotion hopefuls Huddersfield and Stoke cancelled each other out as they drew 1-1 on Friday night.
Carlos Corberan’s men took the lead in controversial circumstances, with Josh Koroma looping the opening goal over Potters goalkeeper Jack Bonham less than 10 minutes after he avoided punishment for a reckless lunge on Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Within seconds, Stoke were denied a penalty after a foul on Tyrese Campbell, but, after taking control of the second half, substitute Jacob Brown lashed in the deserved leveller to earn his side a share of the spoils.
Huddersfield continue to occupy the final play-off spot as a result, with Stoke six points off the pace in 10th ahead of the weekend’s action.
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Many felt Huddersfield’s Josh Koroma should have been sent off for his tackle on Stoke’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, only for the Terriers man to put his side ahead just a few minutes later
How Stoke battled back at the John Smith’s
On the verge of matching their longest unbeaten run in a decade, it was no surprise that Huddersfield welcomed Stoke to the John Smith’s Stadium brimming with confidence. Within four minutes, Danny Ward – who scored a hat-trick in last week’s 4-3 win at Reading – had flicked a header narrowly over the bar, while Potters midfielder Jordan Thompson was booked for a foul on the lively Lewis O’Brien less than 60 seconds later.
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Were Stoke unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty following this incident in their clash with Huddersfield?
Midway through the first half came the first moment of controversy. As Harwood-Bellis and Koroma both attacked the ball, the latter recklessly caught his opponent on the knee with his studs showing, yet, after a moment of deliberation, referee Gavin Ward opted to continue, with no punishment for the Huddersfield man.
Koroma catches Harwood-Bellis on the knee
Stoke were then understandably irked when the same player gave the hosts the lead soon after. Koroma collected a pass from O’Brien and hit a shot which looped into the air over the stranded Bonham and into the back of the net.
If that was not enough, the Potters were then denied a penalty when Tom Lees clumsily caught Campbell on the ankle as the frontman looked to attack a cross from the right-hand side, but, again, Ward felt no need to rule in Stoke’s favour.
Much of the second half lacked the intensity of the first, until Michael O’Neill brought on Nick Powell and Brown to freshen up the attack, which lifted the visitors. And just 15 minutes after his introduction, Brown hauled the Potters level with a thumping effort after Jaden Philogene-Bidace had crashed a shot off the left-hand post.
Jacob Brown equalises for Stoke
With 83 minutes on the clock. O’Brien was also fortunate to avoid serious punishment when he made late contact with the top of Brown’s foot after the Potters’ goalscorer had released the ball. Despite the recklessness, he was shown a yellow card and nothing more.
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Should Lewis O’Brien count himself lucky to have stayed on the pitch following this tackle on Brown?
Man of the match – Jacob Brown
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Reaction from man-of-the-match Brown, who stepped off the subs’ bench to score a deserved equaliser for Stoke
Sky Sports’ Andy Hinchcliffe on Sky Sports Football:
“He was not on the pitch for long, but Brown was one of the subs that had a real influence on the game. He scored a brilliant, vital goal in a game Stoke could not afford to lose.”
What’s next?
Huddersfield are back in action at 7.45pm on Wednesday February 2, when they host Derby at the John Smith’s Stadium in a game live on Sky Sports Football. Stoke, meanwhile, return at 3pm on Saturday February 5, when they welcome Wigan to the bet365 Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round.
