Huddersfield 1 Newcastle 3: Dwight Gayle back from injury with a goal as Toon go 5 points clear of second-placed Brighton
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HOWAY the lads. Or rather AWAY the lads.
Newcastle took a giant step towards the Championship title with their second win at a promotion rival in five days.
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The table-topping Toon followed their 2-1 victory at second-placed Brighton on Tuesday by seeing off the third-placed Terriers at a wet and wild John Smith’s Stadium.
First-half strikes from Matt Ritchie and Daryl Murphy put the leaders in charge before Aaron Mooy gave Huddersfield hope with a second half spot-kick.
But Town’s sub keeper Joel Coleman misjudged a high bouncing clearance from Newcastle, leaving Dwight Gayle an empty net for a simple third in the final seconds.
It sealed another amazing away-day for Rafael Benitez’s rampant stars, who are now five points clear of the Seagulls and a whopping ELEVEN ahead of Huddersfield with 11 games to go.
Benitez said: “We knew it would be a difficult week, but we have had two big wins.
“Huddersfield moved the ball about well and showed good movement so winning the second ball was key for us.
“I’m really pleased with the performances and results of the last two matches.
“We did what we had to do. But everyone needs to stay calm.”
The Geordies famously never take anything for granted after their heroes once blew a 12-point lead in the 1996 Premier League title race — but surely nothing can stop Benitez’s boys now.
Especially as they have best away record in the Championship, with this 13th league win on the road equalling the club record set by Kevin Keegan’s team when they romped to promotion from this level back in 1992-93.
But while Newcastle are heading back to the top flight, Huddersfield can look forward to a FA hearing after fans threw clappers and a coin at linesman Dan Cook. They were incensed that Toon’s second goal should have been ruled out for a foul on keeper Danny Ward.
Cook handed the coin to fourth official to David Coote and the incident is sure to be included in ref Roger East’s report — which is likely to see Town being charged.
The Terriers’ PA announcer can also expect to be hauled in the dock after he said over the tannoy at half-time: “I don’t think Roger East will be getting many Christmas cards from this neck of the woods if he is not careful.”
And if that was not bad enough, Huddersfield winger Harry Bunn, who was not in the squad, accused Ritchie of “diving” in an on-pitch interview during the break.
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It was all a bit classless from the hosts as David Wagner’s men slipped to only their second loss since the end of November.
Murphy had the first real chance when, after being fed in the box by Mo Diame, his rising shot was tipped over by keeper Ward.
The resulting corner led to East awarding Newcastle a penalty after Ritchie fell under the slightest of challenges from Nahki Wells. Ritchie got up and smashed the spot-kick past Ward to put the leaders ahead in the tenth minute — though replays showed Toon’s Jonjo Shelvey had handled in the build-up.
Ritchie said: “I could feel my heels clipped. It was a definite penalty and I was delighted to put it away.”
Huddersfield were even more upset when Murphy slotted home in the 32nd minute.
Home players and fans felt the striker had kicked the ball out of Ward’s hands. But replays showed East was right to let the goal stand. Ward went off with a dead leg at half-time and was replaced by Coleman. Shelvey sent Elias Kachunga crashing in the box in the 72nd minute, with Mooy converting the penalty.
But the hosts were caught out on the break when Coleman’s error left Gayle with an open goal.
Wagner said: “The first goal wasn’t a penalty and the second was a foul. We tried everything, went in their face and it was an unlucky defeat.
“I’m proud of the players in the second half.”