Steve Mounie grabs a brace as fantastic Huddersfield stun Palace
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ByEurosport
Updated 12/08/2017 at 16:31 GMT
Premier League, Selhurst Park – Crystal Palace 0 Huddersfield 3 (Ward OG 23, Mounie 26, 78)
Huddersfield Town’s Steve Mounie celebrates scoring their second goal
Image credit: Reuters
Huddersfield Town’s record-signing Steve Mounie grabbed a brace on his debut as the Terriers marked their return to the Premier League after 45 years with a convincing win over Crystal Palace.
The new boys, making their first appearance in the top flight since 1972, were handed the dream start when Mathias Jorgensen’s header was bundled over by Palace defender Joel Ward after only 23 minutes. And, just three minutes later, Mounie – who was signed from Montpellier in a £11m deal last month – doubled the advantage with a bullet header.
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Steve Mounie of Huddersfield Town celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town at Selhurst Park on August 12, 2017 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
It was the a real baptism of fire for new Palace manager Frank de Boer, who was in charge for his first competitive match, and the Dutchman was unable to provide the inspiration needed to make a comeback.
Wilfred Zaha and Christian Benteke both went close as the hosts rallied after the restart, but Huddersfield were much more clinical in front of goal and it was Mounie who grabbed the game’s third all-important goal.
David Wagner’s side will now be hoping to record back-to-back victories when they host Newcastle on August 20. Palace, meanwhile, have a tricky visit to Anfield next weekend.
TALKING POINT
Welcome to the Premier League, Huddersfield and David Wagner! The Terriers were by far superior than Palace in every department as they earned the perfect result their performance warranted. The German has promised his team aren’t here to make up the numbers – and this display will make the rest of the league sit up and take notice. It’s an embarrassing start to English football for Frank de Boer - his decision to play a three-man defence will have raised eyebrows.
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David Wagner, Manager of Huddesfield Town walks to his bench prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town at Selhurst Park on August 12, 2017 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Steve Mounie (Huddersfield): The Benin international has all of the hallmarks of a successful Premier League striker. He’s powerful in the air, a handful for defenders – and has a real eye for goal. Linked up well with midfielder Aaron Mooy who was also terrific.
PLAYER RATINGS
Huddersfield: Lossl 8; Lowe 7, Schindler 7, Jorgensen 8, Smith 7, Billing 8, Mooy 8, Ince 7, Palmer 7, Kachunga 7, Mounie 7. Subs: Van La Parra 6, Williams 6, Quaner 7,
Crystal Palace: Hennessey 6, Fosu-Mensah 6, Dann 6, Riedewald 5, Ward 5, Milivojevic 4, Puncheon 5, Van Aanholt 5, Loftus-Cheek 7, Zaha 7, Benteke 6. Subs: Tomkins 5, Townsend 6.
KEY MOMENTS
23’ – GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Huddersfield - The Terriers are off the mark in the Premier League - but it'll go down as a Joel Ward own-goal. Mooy whips the cross to the near post where it's flicked on and stabbed home at the far post by Jorgensen, but the final touch comes off Ward.
26’ - GOAL! Huddersfield 2-0 Crystal Palace. It's an absolute dream start for Huddersfield, they've only gone and scored again! It's a bullet header from debutant Mounie!
31’ - CLOSE! Huddersfield should score, again! Jorgensen is unmarked at a corner, but the Dane sends his header wide.
48’ – OVER! Lowe tries his luck from distance, and Hennessey can only palm it into the path of Mounie. However, the Huddersfield striker drives it over the bar.
54’ - SAVE! Benteke wriggles free as the corner delivery comes in, and his header is well saved by Lossl. Palace have another corner, and they're beginning to exert real pressure on the Terriers.
58’ - CHANCE! Quick feet from Zaha allows him an inch of space to have a shot from a tight angle. However, Lossl is equal to it and makes the stop.
78’ - GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-3 Huddersfield. It's Mounie, again! The Beninese striker curls the ball beyond Hennessey and it's game over now. What an afternoon for the Terriers. Welcome to the Premier League!
KEY STAT
Huddersfield Town are the first team to see their first-ever PremierLeague goal come via an own-goal.
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