Huddersfield Town 1 West Ham 1: Felipe Anderson comes to Hammers rescue

Felipe Anderson’s 74th-minute equaliser salvaged a point for West Ham as Huddersfield Town’s resurgence hit a slight hurdle in a 1-1 home draw on Saturday.

Alex Pritchard looked to have given David Wagner’s men a second successive victory when his sixth-minute goal, the first from a Huddersfield player at home since April, established a lead they held for over an hour.

However, an improved second half from the Hammers eventually ensured they stretched their unbeaten streak to three top-flight fixtures.

Felipe Anderson, a scorer in last weekend’s 4-2 win over Burnley, was the hero as he drove home amid a goalmouth scramble.

An eventful opening 45 minutes for Lukasz Fabianski began with an expert early save from Steve Mounie’s close-range header.

His reflexes were less impressive for the opener, Pritchard creeping a seemingly innocuous low shot inside the near post.

726 – Alex Pritchard is the first Huddersfield player to score at home in the Premier League in 726 minutes of action, since Tom Ince scored against Watford back in April. Overdue. #HUDWHU pic.twitter.com/ZpPQkn6kZk

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 10, 2018

Philip Billing almost caught out the goalkeeper a second time when his misdirected cross looped against the far upright and back across the face.

The Poland international redeemed himself with another denial of Mounie in a one-on-one, before the Terriers’ encouraging half ended with Chris Lowe being taken off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly on his shoulder.

Javier Hernandez’s introduction at the interval should have quickly brought about an equaliser, only for the striker to nod over a point-blank rebound from Jonas Lossl’s initial save.

It was instead left to Felipe Anderson to drag the visitors level with the Brazilian rifling home following a succession of blocked efforts in the box.

3 – Felipe Anderson has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games, as many as he managed in his previous 24 appearances in the big five European leagues. Form. #HUDWHU pic.twitter.com/0UWPMbDneC

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 10, 2018

And Manuel Pellegrini’s men might count themselves unfortunate not to have pocketed three points in the end, with Aaron Mooy to thank for blocking an Issa Diop header on the line moments after parity was restored.

What does it mean? Hope building for Huddersfield

They might have been pegged back in the end, but four points from two matches remains a confidence-boosting return for Huddersfield heading into the international break.

Lossl hit with unlucky equaliser

There was little more Lossl could do in his scrambling attempts to deny West Ham a goal that was harsh on the Terriers goalkeeper, who had been impeccable until that point.

Diop endures battles on the ball

West Ham’s Diop was twice involved in turning over possession in dangerous areas during the first half. He was punished from the first, and the match did not get a whole lot better for the defender.

What’s next?

Huddersfield’s first assignment after the international break is a trip to Wolves, while West Ham have a fortnight to formulate a plan for Manchester City’s visit.