Huddersfield clinched Premier League survival with a famous draw on a tumultuous night at Stamford Bridge.
The result means Swansea are all but relegated – and that Chelsea need a miracle to reach next season’s Champions League.
Huddersfield produced an extraordinary defensive performance, full of discipline, desperate commitment and an incredible level of effort, to consistently repel the home side.
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 9, 2018 The ball hits the goal post as Huddersfield Town's Jonas Lossl looks on after making a save
Image credit: Reuters
Laurent Depoitre’s goal was cancelled out by a bizarre equaliser from Marcos Alonso. That left Huddersfield needing to survive for almost half an hour - and they did so, thanks mainly to an astonishing save from Jonas Lossl from Andreas Christensen.
The final whistle sparked delirious celebrations that will never be forgotten by the Huddersfield players and fans. They were fully deserved after what has been a glorious triumph of the human spirit.
TALKING POINT
Was this Antonio Conte’s last game at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager? There was nothing in Conte’s demeanour that suggested he was saying goodbye – he hadn’t even had a shave – but most people expect him to leave the club at the end of the season. If he does, his last home game will have encapsulated the enormous frustration of his second season.
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 9, 2018 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Image credit: Reuters
MAN OF THE MATCH
Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield) It’s not easy to be a creative midfielder when your team spend most of the time defending. But whenever Mooy got the ball, he resisted the temptation to lump it anywhere and instead tried to make something happen. That approach was rewarded when his superb pass over the top led to Laurent Depoitre’s crucial opening goal.
Aaron Mooy of Huddersfield Town is challenged by Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge on May 9, 2018 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Caballero 6, Azpilicueta 7, Christensen 6, Rudiger 4, Zappacosta 6, Fabregas 7, Kante 7, Alonso 6, Willian 7, Pedro 5, Morata 5. Subs: Giroud 6, Hazard 6.
Huddersfield: Lossl 8, Smith 7, Zanka 7, Schindler 8, Kongolo 7, Lowe 7, Billing 7, Hogg 7, Mooy 7, van La Parra 7, Depoitre 7. Subs: Pritchard 7, Hadergjonaj 7, Malone 7.
KEY EVENTS
12’ WHAT A CHANCE! Rudiger misses from two yards. A right-wing corner was headed across goal by Azpilicueta, and Rudiger arrived to volley it wide of an open goal. Oh dear.
49’ ANOTHER CHANCE FOR RUDIGER! He missed an open goal in the first half, and now he has headed Willian's free-kick over the bar from eight yards. That was a terrific opportunity.
50’ GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Huddersfield (Depoitre) Huddersfield have taken the lead!! It came out of nothing, when Mooy's pass over the top suddenly put Depoitre clear on goal. Caballero came from his box and half blocked Depoitre's stabbed shot, but the ball fell perfectly for Depoitre to lob it over Rudiger on the line
62’ GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Huddersfield (Alonso) Chelsea equalise with a slapstick goal. Azpilicueta's low cross ran all the way to the far post, where Zanka tried to smack it clear. It rebounded off the face of Alonso, who knew nothing about it, and flew past Lossl. That'll be on a Footbanter DVD next Christmas.
The ball goes into the net after a clearance hit Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (2R) in the head as Huddersfield Town's Danish goalkeeper Jonas Lossl (2L) dives for Chelsea's first goal to equalise 1-1 during the English Premier League football
Image credit: Getty Images
83’ WHAT A SAVE BY LOSSL! A Chelsea corner leads to an astonishing scramble in the Huddersfield box. Eventually Christensen guides a header towards goal, and Lossl, who was moving to his left, dives back to his right and twists to fingertip the ball on the post. That's a stunning save!
KEY STATS
Chelsea scored only 30 goals in their 19 home league games. When they won the title in 2016-17, they scored 55 times at home.
For only the third time in Premier League history, all three promoted sides have avoided relegation.
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