Isiah Brown
Isiah Brown

Wolverhampton 0-1 Huddersfield: Match report & reaction


Izzy Brown hit the only goal of the game as Huddersfield secured their Sky Bet Championship play-off place with a 1-0 win against Wolves at Molineux.

On-loan Chelsea striker Brown, who was making his first start since suffering a knee injury against Bristol City last month, struck with his eighth goal of the season from 20 yards in the 31st minute.

Huddersfield had gone into the game knowing that a win would secure them a place in the play-offs as they responded in style to losing 4-1 at home to Fulham last time out.

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Wolves slipped to only their third defeat in 11 matches but again toiled in front of their own fans as they failed to score for the third successive home game.

Wolves were forced into a late change when goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Harry Burgoyne.

But it was Burgoyne's opposite number, Danny Ward, who was first into action when he did well to hold on to a near-post header from Dave Edwards in the 10th minute.

Huddersfield's reaction to that let-off was instant and should have led to them taking the lead only for Nahki Wells to blaze over the bar from 14 yards.

Wells was then presented with another chance following a cross from former Wolves winger Rajiv van La Parra in the 23rd minute and although this time he managed to get his shot on target it was comfortably dealt with by Burgoyne.

Brown then showed Wells the way to goal in stunning style after being fed by Aaron Mooy.

Brown let fly from 20 yards and the ball whistled past Burgoyne's outstretched right hand.

Wolves sought a quick response and would have got one but for Ward who again saved a header from Edwards following a Ben Marshall free-kick.

Ward and the post then combined to deny Wolves an equaliser eight minutes into the second-half when Andreas Weimann had his shot saved and from the follow-up Edwards saw his effort from an acute angle hit the woodwork.

But their hopes of a comeback hopes should have been extinguished in the 69th minute only for substitute Collin Quaner to drill his shot wide after Wolves had failed to clear a Mooy free-kick.

Quaner then shot straight at Burgoyne from close range 10 minutes later and had a third effort blocked but Wolves were unable to take advantage of his profligacy in front of goal.

Match Reaction


Huddersfield manager David Wagner on booking a play-off spot: "This was a very special night, an extraordinary night. Now we really have something in our hands. We have the play-off spot and the whole football club worked unbelievably hard to achieve something out of the season.

"To do it with two games left is an unbelievable achievement. I know that I have only been at the club for one and a half years but I have heard from the people who supported the club for many years that they were desperate for something extraordinary.

"In this season the players and the backroom staff worked so hard to achieve something. It is the biggest achievement in the last 45 years and I am absolutely proud that the players got this over the line.

"Of course as Huddersfield Town we did not have the best starting point - I read that (Chelsea manager) Antonio Conte said money does not win titles and that counts in the Championship as well.

"From our starting point it makes what the players have achieved even greater in the season so far. Now our journey will go a little bit longer in the season and we can make something very big out of it."

Wolves' manager Paul Lambert on Harry Burgoyne failing to save Brown's shot: "There wasn't much in the game. I think the goal, Harry should have saved it and by his own admission he felt he should have saved it. Harry got thrown in after we lost Andy in the warm-up but he never really had a save to make after the goal.

"Arguably the two best chances in the first half came when (Wolves midfielder) Dave Edwards had two headers. Either side of the goalkeeper they go in. They (Huddersfield) shoot and Harry should have saved it so there wasn't too much in the game.

"Harry has done well for me every time I have called on him so I never had a problem with him playing."

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