Huddersfield come from behind to thrash local rivals Leeds
Huddersfield gave themselves some breathing space towards the foot of the Championship table with a quite brilliant 4-1 win at local rivals Leeds.
Town arrived at Elland Road with cause to look over their shoulders and when they fell behind to Stuart Dallas' opener - after Nahki Wells had missed from the spot - they had even more to worry about.
But Huddersfield never wavered from their high-energy approach and were rewarded by Mark Hudson's leveller and then goals from Harry Bunn, Karim Matmour and Wells earned them a memorable three points.
Given Leeds had won three games in a row prior to this the result could be considered a shock, but United are only ever 90 minutes from a crisis and this match came against a backdrop of further protests against owner Massimo Cellino, with a cinema screen hired by supporters to a play a film calling for him to go.
It will be Huddersfield who are watching the replays of this one, although it did not seem that way when they missed a 10th-minute penalty.
There was no doubting the decision, Joe Lolley too good for first Charlie Taylor and then the offending Sol Bamba, but Marco Silvestri's save from Wells, low to his right, was fantastic.
Leeds took heart - Bamba missed a presentable free header - then the lead 22 minutes in.
Liam Bridcutt caught Dean Whitehead napping just outside the box and stood up a fine cross for the onrushing Dallas who nodded over Jed Steer and in.
Huddersfield stood firm, though, and three minutes before the break got level, Hudson nodding Jamie Paterson's corner down and in amid a busy penalty area.
Town started the second half with the high intensity boss David Wagner demands, but the first real chance fell to Leeds 10 minutes in, Mirco Antenucci shaping a shot just wide of Steer's post after a counter-attack.
But Huddersfield had more snap about them when it mattered and when Bunn took aim with a volley after Leeds failed to deal with a corner, they had a 68th-minute lead.
It looked as though Leeds' back-line was there for the taking and so it proved, Wells too quick for Bamba and giving Matmour a two-yard tap in with a square pass (73).
All Wells' performance was missing was a goal and he duly made amends for his first-half spot-kick - which felt like it belonged in a different game - with a crisp finish from 15 yards in the 77th minute.
Source: PA
