 |
| Huddersfield Town’s Steve Mounie, top right, scores his side’s second goal during their English Premier League soccer match against AFC Bournemouth at the John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, England, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) |
Huddersfield Town snapped a five-match losing sequence to beat in-form Bournemouth 4-1 and move out of the Premier League’s relegation zone on Sunday.
Alex Pritchard fired Huddersfield in front after seven minutes and although Junior Stanislas levelled, the hosts were ahead again before the break thanks to Steve Mounie’s 27th-minute header from Aaron Mooy’s delivery.
Beninese striker Mounie’s shot was deflected in by Steve Cook after 66 minutes — Cook being attributed with an own goal.
Rajiv van la Parra tucked away a stoppage time penalty to complete a satisfying afternoon for David Wagner’s side.
Victory did come at a cost for Huddersfield with Australian midfielder Mooy leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the second half after a clash of knees.
The Premier League basement has taken on a revolving door feel with so many clubs involved in the relegation battle.
Huddersfield began their first Premier League season impressively but have struggled to replicate their early verve and had not won for eight games before Sunday.
“We needed a few minutes at the start where Bournemouth were strong but after that we played superb football. It was one of the performances of the season,” manager Wagner said.
“It was our idea to press the opponent high up the pitch and win the ball. It was a fantastic afternoon for us.”
While Bournemouth look relatively safe after recent wins against Arsenal and Chelsea in a seven-match unbeaten streak, manager Eddie Howe knows they cannot afford any loss of form.
“We should look as hungry if not hungrier than them, that’s no excuse for us. Every game should be treated as a cup final,” Howe, whose side are four points ahead of Huddersfield, said.
Pritchard swept in Mounie’s pass after seven minutes for his first goal since joining the club but the home jitters returned when Stanislas took a touch before slotting an equaliser.
Mounie raised the mood and wanted the ball for what he thought was a hat-trick penalty in stoppage time after Pritchard was bundled over in the area. Instead Van la Parra took responsibility to stroke home.
“The most important was the win, even if I wanted to take the penalty. I leave it for Rajiv (van la Parra),” he said.
Bournemouth are the seventh team Huddersfield have beaten in all four tiers of English league football, along with Bradford, Brentford, Bury, Grimsby, Portsmouth and Watford.
