HUDDERSFIELD TOWN RECORDED one of the biggest results in the club’s history on Saturday afternoon, as David Wagner’s side inflicted a first Premier League defeat of the season on Manchester United with a famous 2-1 win.
First-half goals from Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre within five minutes of one another gave the Terriers a two goal cushion heading into the interval, before a Marcus Rashford strike halved the deficit.
The England striker’s goal with 12 minutes remaining created a tense and fraught final period, with United searching desperately for an equaliser while the hosts continued like they had all throughout the second period to grab a third which would seal the win.
The introduction of Dutch forward Rajiv van La Parra proved inspired as the 26-year-old caused a succession of problems for Jose Mourinho’s side in the final third.
While he could not produce a third to seal the win and make it a more relaxed final ten minutes for a packed 24,000 capacity crowd, those final exchanges brought out the best of Wagner’s impressive set-up at John Smith Stadium.
Under significant pressure following Rashford’s strike which set up a grand stand finish and despite United enjoying 78% possession throughout, the hosts held out with composure and resilience — all of which was highlighted by defender Mathias Jørgensen’s block on Rashford when it looked like the forward would grab a leveler with the last kick of the game.
It was the first meeting of the pair in the top flight since 1973, with the result inflicting a first Premier League defeat of the season on Mourinho’s side as they now trail rivals Manchester City by five points at the top of the table.
United had won six out of their opening nine Premier League fixtures and up until last weekend were level on points with Pep Guardiola’s side.
With today’s defeat adding to last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Anfield against Liverpool however, United’s hopes of claiming a first league title since 2013 suffered a major setback, with City cruising to a 3-0 win over Burnley — their sixth straight league victory.
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