Match Report

A mesmerising performance from Michael Bridges helped Carlisle rip up the formbook in a Boxing Day blockbuster against Huddersfield.

The former £5million man terrorised the visitors throughout alongside strike partner Danny Graham, as Carlisle posed no end of problems to the weary visitors.

Graham opened the scoring on 12 minutes steering the ball into an empty net after latching onto Bridges' cross ahead of keeper Alex Smithies.

By then Bridges had almost nodded the hosts in front before Jeff Smith's thunderous 30-yard drive was tipped over by the busy Smithies.

Graham then thought he'd made it two when he cracked the ball in off the underside of the bar, before the offside flag cut short his celebrations.

The second half started with an avalanche of action as both sides threw everything forward, but it was the hosts who made the breakthrough to double their advantage.

Some slick play around the Terriers box saw Bridges flick through to Graham, but when the 13-goal striker stood on the ball Bridges was teed up perfectly to slam the ball in from 12 yards.

Huddersfield's Gary Roberts had a golden chance to pull one back immediately, but from a good position he somehow headed straight up in the air before the Cumbrians sealed the points on 65 minutes.

Veteran Graham Kavanagh lobbed the ball to Graham who perfectly chested the ball back and the on-loan Irishman rifled in low past Smithies from the edge of the box.

With the game won the hosts sat back and two great saves from Tim Krul allowed the keeper to stay warm on a bitterly cold afternoon.

But the Terriers never looked likely to break through and Carlisle boss Greg Abbott will be thankful for his first win as permanent manager after giving his side Christmas Day off.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides