Sharp winner gives Leeds United a double over Huddersfield

A late goal by super sub Billy Sharp enabled Leeds United to celebrate a rare double over Huddersfield Town as they won 2-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Winning goal - Billy Sharp.Winning goal - Billy Sharp.
Winning goal - Billy Sharp.

Sharp’s 90th minute header gave the Whites their first double over the Terriers since 1939 and crucially moved them further away from the relegation zone.

They made it four games unbeaten and moved up the table to 17th for a few hours at least and to within two points of Huddersfield.

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Leeds, who made one change from the side that beat Bournemouth with new signing Sol Bamba in at centre-half for the suspended Giuseppe Bellusci, made a flying start as well as a big finish as Luke Murphy’s strike from range had to be well saved by Town keeper Joe Murphy.

They were ahead inside seven minutes as midfielder Murphy found Sam Byram on the run and he managed to lift the ball over the home keeper for the opening goal.

United continued to be the better team, but could not add to their lead with Steve Morison hitting a shot well wide from the left wide of the box.

Huddersfield hit back to level after James Vaughan had a volley deflected wide and they scored from the resulting corner when Harry Bunn, who had come on as an early substitute for Nahki Wells, was left unmarked to head home.

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Leeds’ response was not good and after looking in control could have found themselves behind before half-time as Marco Silvestri had to save to deny Bunn’s header from a Jacob Butterfield cross.

Mark Hudson, David Edgar and Sean Scannell then efforts wide and it remained 1-1 to the interval.

In the second half the hosts had the first chance as Joel Lynch headed over from close range.

Leeds responded with Alex Mowatt sending a shot not far over from 20 yards out before he was taken off to be replaced by Mirco Antenucci.

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The Whites had a penalty shout when Hudson appeared to bring down Byram, but referee Chris Foy denied the big shout and there was nothing doing when Antenucci was challenged by keeper Murphy.

After a spell with little action at either end Butterfield fired a shot off target from distance without troubling Silvestri. Bunn had a header blocked and the United defence looked solid with new boy Bamba a reassuring presence on his debut.

Leeds had a great chance to win it near the end when Antenucci was found by Byram only to blaze over then Morison sent an effort wide as the Whites put in a big finish.

But they did come up with a goal when fine play by Byram and Antenucci led to a chance for Billy Sharp, who has just come on as substitute and headed home to the delight of the near 4,000 travelling fans.

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A long period of added time followed after a serious looking injury to Tommy Smith, who had to be stretchered off and Huddersfield looked to hit back, but Scannell sent a volley over and time ran out for them.

Match facts

Huddersfield Town 1

(Bunn 26)

(Byram 7, Sharp 90)

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Sky Bet Championship

Attendance: 20,029

Huddersfield: Murphy, Edgar, Hudson, Lynch (Wallace 87), Robinson, Butterfield, Scannell, Coady, Smith (Lolley 90), Vaughan, Wells (Bunn 10).

Leeds: Silvestri, Wootton, Bamba, Cooper, C Taylor, Byram, Austin, Murphy, Cook (Sharp 86), Mowatt (Antenucci 59), Morison.

Referee: Chris Foy