Cardiff City claimed their third consecutive Sky Bet League One victory with a home win over the Terriers on Saturday afternoon.
Bluebirds manager Brian Barry-Murphy elected to make two changes from the last league game, which was a 3-0 victory over Mansfield Town. Callum Robinson and Isaak Davies were replaced by Omari Kellyman and Chris Willock.
The deadlock was almost broken in the opening minutes when Radinio Balker headed the ball towards his own net, but luckily for him, the ball just went over the bar. Yet four minutes later the City faithful were up on their feet to celebrate a goal of their own; Yousef Salech nodding home from Joel Bagan’s dinked ball into the area.
The Bluebirds gained a level of control after the opener, but it was Huddersfield who produced the next chance. Marcus Harness’ corner found an unmarked Bojan Radulović, but the Serbian striker volleyed wide.
From then on City produced a number of half chances through the first period. Twice Cian Ashford shot straight at Lee Nicholls, Willock’s powerful strike was also held by the keeper, while Salech headed over in added time, as the hosts headed into the break ahead.
Lee Grant’s side came out the quicker of the teams in the second half. Ryan Ledson had an effort blocked by Will Fish, but from the resulting corner-kick the visitors equalised as Leo Castledine found the net from a short corner routine.
Parity would only be restored for eleven minutes as City regained the lead shortly after the hour mark. Ryan Wintle started the move by setting Ashford off down the wing with a pinpoint pass. The winger found a route into the box before laying the ball up to the far post, and there to head home his second of the game was Salech.
Now in the ascendency, the Bluebirds tried to extend their lead. Nicholls was at full stretch to keep out Ashford, while Alex Robertson’s deflected effort flashed past the post.
The game still hung in the balance entering the final stages, but City found their third of the afternoon with five minutes remaining. A long ball was knocked down by Salech into the path of Davies, allowing the substitute to cut inside and find the top corner expertly.
The Terriers did make life difficult for the home side in the closing phases as Joe Taylor turned the ball in from close range, and despite pushing for a late equaliser, they couldn’t find one. Three points for City, and three points that keep them top of the table.
Next up for the Bluebirds will be a midweek fixture against Stevenage. The game at Lamex Stadium will take place on Tuesday December 9th (7:45pm KO).
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-2 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng (Kpakio 83’), Fish, Lawlor, Bagan, Wintle, Turnbull (Robertson 59’), Kellyman (J. Colwill 59’), Ashford (Robinson 88’), Willock (Davies 60’), Salech. Subs not used: Turner, Chambers.
Huddersfield Town: Nicholls, Sorensen, Ledson, Low, Wiles, Harness (Kasumu 87’), Roosken, Balker (Wallace 78’), Charles (Taylor 65’), Casteldine (Ashia 65’), Radulović (May 78’). Subs not used: Goodman, Roughan.