Bristol City 2-3 Huddersfield: Terriers come from behind to rock Robins

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Danny Ward heads the ball past Bristol City keeper Dan BentleyImage source, Rex Features
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Danny Ward heads in his sixth goal of the season for Huddersfield's third goal to wrap up the victory

Huddersfield secured their first away victory since September as they beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Andi Weimann opened the scoring for the home side after just two minutes, before Danny Ward missed a penalty at the other end for the visitors.

Duane Holmes brought Huddersfield level just before half-time and Danel Sinani edged the visitors ahead again seconds after the restart.

Ward doubled the Terriers' lead not long after and there was a lengthy break in play with 20 minutes to go as a small section of people in the Bristol City crowd repeatedly threw objects onto the pitch as Huddersfield tried to take a corner.

The referee temporarily moved the players to the touchline before the game re-started five minutes later and while Weimann pulled one back deep into added time, it was too little too late as Huddersfield wrapped up a first win on the road in eight matches.

After ending a spell of 17 league matches without a win at home against Barnsley in October, Bristol City were chasing their fifth consecutive victory at Ashton Gate.

Weimann gave the Robins the perfect start after just two minutes by getting on the end of a pass across the face of goal from Antoine Semenyo before confidently slotting beyond Lee Nicholls.

The Bristol City fans were still singing a few minutes later when the referee pointed to the spot at the other end.

Scott High's strike forced a save out of Bentley, but Terriers captain Lewis O'Brien was judged to have been fouled and Ward stepped up for the spot-kick.

For the second time in as many minutes, Bentley denied the visitors, anticipating Ward's intentions and diving to the left to palm the ball away.

Semenyo almost doubled Bristol City's lead 20 minutes in, but his shot from the edge of the box rolled wide of the right post.

Huddersfield looked dangerous, though, particularly on the counter-attack, and Ward almost got on the end of a dangerous cross from Sorba Thomas, while O'Brien - making his 150th start - made a darting run down the middle before forcing Bentley into a save.

Harry Toffolo then made a break into space down the left and pulled the ball back for Holmes, who scored his second goal of the season.

The second half began with an early goal like the first, only this time it was Huddersfield who were quick out of the blocks, with Ward setting up Sinani, who struck the ball inside the far post to give them the lead.

At the other end, Semenyo almost instantly levelled things when he hit the post, but City were again caught on the counter as Ward got his just rewards to head Huddersfield 3-1 ahead.

The Robins did what they could to try and get themselves back in it, as Ayman Benarous brought a save out of Nicholls. But although Weimann doubled his tally deep in added time for his ninth goal of the season, following a cross in from Semenyo, it was not enough for Nigel Pearson's side.

Bristol City released a statement immediately after the match to condemn the behaviour in the stands in the second half, and said an individual was immediately ejected and handed over to police following objects being thrown at a Huddersfield player.

"Such behaviour is unacceptable and will be dealt with in the strongest manner," the statement said.

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"We caused ourselves our biggest problems, three goals conceded and they are really poor goals. It gives us a huge problem when we're allowing our opponents to score with such ease. A very frustrating day.

"It's very easy to point out that players make the same mistakes. We have what we have at the moment and unfortunately for us it cost is very dearly today.

"The goals in the second half were awful goals to concede, both timing-wise but the lack of resistance that we showed and the naivety at times was quite alarming really.

"Technical shortcomings are one thing. Fragility of the mental side of it is something which, forget your coaching manuals, is about players having the courage to get on the ball and play and we didn't' have that at times today."

Huddersfield manager Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio Leeds:

"Enjoyable and a suffering win too because the last goal that they scored put the result a little bit at risk.

"It was very important to show character because in the first half of the game you concede one goal and after playing well you have the opportunity to draw the game with a penalty and you miss. This type of situation can create two things.

"They can frustrate you and they can beat you or you start to overcome this and show opportunities that you have the character, that you have personality to grow and you believe in what we are doing.

"I think the reaction of the team was fantastic to this a couple of key moments."

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