Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Huddersfield Town: Mooy double lifts Terriers off the bottom

Nuno Espirito Santo says Wolves' defeat by Huddersfield was one of their "worst performances" since he joined the club as head coach in May 2017.

While Aaron Mooy's double lifted David Wagner's side off the the bottom of the Premier League, it consigned Wolves - who have collected just one point from the last 15 available - to their worst sequence of results under the Portuguese.

"The team never felt together in both parts of the game - offensively and defensively," Nuno said.

"My job is easy: I have to find out why. We know that happiness doesn't last forever but this is how you show your character, bouncing back from these moments.

"It was probably one of the worst performances we have had. We have to take a good look, find out why and prepare better."

The Terriers had arrived at Molineux with the worst scoring record in the division - mustering just six goals from their opening 12 games - but Mooy's first goal of the campaign delivered an early lead as he placed his effort from Erik Durm's cut-back.

The Australia midfielder then secured the points for the visitors in the second period with a curling free-kick, beating home goalkeeper Rui Patricio at his near post.

"It lifts the confidence and their mood," Huddersfield boss Wagner said. "Away wins are always very important in the Premier League and now we have the first one we have to try and surf on this wave we have created.

"The players have shown better performances - or at least comparable performances - this season but they have not got the rewards."

Wolves, who toiled during the first half, briefly threatened to equalise after the break. However, goal-line technology showed that a Raul Jimenez header had just been cleared in time by Huddersfield midfielder Philip Billing - with all but an agonising 1.8cm of the ball crossing the line.

The result sees Huddersfield climb to 14th in the table, while Wolves remain in 11th.

Huddersfield spark into life

After a dismal start of 10 games without a victory to their second season in the Premier League, Wagner's Huddersfield side appear to have now sparked into life.

This win is their second in three matches, in a period when they have collected seven points from a possible nine.

Wagner took his side to Marbella in the south of Spain during the international break and at times there was a sunshine feel to their football in the West Midlands.

Mooy's opening goal was reward for a wonderful move down the left involving Billing and Durm, and their slick passing allowed them to establish an early rhythm that the hosts struggled to contain.

The only complaint was that Huddersfield did not confirm their superiority earlier than Mooy's second goal.

Terence Kongolo spurned a chance after a perfectly executed, pre-planned corner routine, and Patricio also saved a Steve Mounie header that was directed straight at him.

Alex Pritchard twice found himself in excellent shooting positions, and was denied on the second occasion by Wolves' Portugal goalkeeper after a glorious interchange between Mooy and Billing on the right.

Mooy's coup de grace, from 20 yards out, was no more than they deserved and it ensured they are unbeaten in three matches for the first time this calendar year.

Wolves fail to respond

Since their promotion to the Premier League Wolves have forged a reputation as a passing team, but also as a second-half team.

Prior to this fixture, 10 of Wanderers' 12 goals had arrived after the interval, allowing Nuno's side to collect four victories from the opening 12 games.

That resilience has also contributed to creditable draws against both Manchester clubs, as well as Arsenal in their last Premier League encounter.

But this fixture highlighted that their capacity to recover is far from guaranteed in the top flight.

Having been hindered by a series of errant passes, a half-time revision of tactics and the introduction of Morgan Gibbs-White and Adama Traore did allow Wolves to build some momentum after the break.

Goal-line technology view of Raul Jimenez's header — Goal-line technology showed Raul Jimenez's header was cleared by Huddersfield midfielder Philip Billing with all but 1.8cm of the ball over the line.

And had Jimenez's header from Traore's cross travelled just 18mm further it may have laid the platform for a grandstand finish.

But in the aftermath of that nearest of near-misses, the impetus was lost and as Wolves' control of possession started to drift, the visitors regained their composure and extended their lead.

Man of the match - Philip Billing (Huddersfield Town)

Huddersfield's first top-flight win at Wolves since 1938 - the stats

There has not been a draw between Wolves and Huddersfield in any of the past 13 encounters in all competitions - two wins for Wolves, 11 for Huddersfield.
Huddersfield have won a top-flight match away to Wolves for the first time since December 1938, when they ran out 4-1 winners under manager Clem Stephenson (D2 L10).
Wolves have now lost each of their past three home league games, as many defeats as in their previous 30 such matches (P30 W19 D8 L3).
Huddersfield Town have won an away Premier League match without conceding a goal for the first time since their first such match in the competition (3-0 v Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park).
Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost 13 of their past 19 home Premier League matches (W2 D4), conceding 42 goals while scoring just 17 times.
In this match against Huddersfield, Wolves named six Portuguese players in their starting XI - the last time a side started six or more foreigners from the same country in a Premier League encounter was back in December 2013 (Newcastle - six Frenchman v Stoke).
Aaron Mooy's brace is the first time any Huddersfield Town player has scored more than one goal in the same Premier League match since he himself did so against Watford back in December 2017 - 344 days ago.

What's next?

Wolves travel to Cardiff for their next Premier League match on Friday, 30 November (20:00 GMT). Huddersfield welcome Brighton to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday, 1 December (15:00 GMT).

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Wolves

Formation 3-4-3

11Rui Patrício
5Bennett
16Coady
15Boly
2Doherty
28João MoutinhoSubstituted forGibbs-Whiteat 45'minutes
8NevesBooked at 87mins
29Vinagre
10Hélder CostaSubstituted forJotaat 75'minutes
9Jiménez
7CavaleiroSubstituted forTraoréat 45'minutes

Substitutes

17Gibbs-White
18Jota
21Ruddy
27Saïss
32Dendoncker
33Bonatini
37Traoré

Huddersfield

Formation 3-5-1-1

1Lössl
2SmithBooked at 17mins
26Schindler
5Kongolo
33Hadergjonaj
10Mooy
6HoggBooked at 60minsSubstituted forStankovicat 90+3'minutes
8BillingSubstituted forWilliamsat 90+3'minutes
37Durm
21PritchardSubstituted forMbenzaat 90+3'minutes
24Mounie

Substitutes

9Kachunga
12Hamer
14Sobhi
18Mbenza
19Williams
20Depoitre
27Stankovic

Referee:: Kevin Friend
Attendance:: 30,130

Match Stats

Home TeamWolvesAway TeamHuddersfield

Possession: Home45%; Away55%

Shots: Home12; Away14

Shots on Target: Home3; Away6

Corners: Home3; Away5

Fouls: Home9; Away8

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Huddersfield Town 2.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Huddersfield Town 2.

90'+5'
Post update
Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Terence Kongolo (Huddersfield Town).
90'+4'
Post update
Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt missed. Danny Williams (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Florent Hadergjonaj.
90'+3'
Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Jon Gorenc Stankovic replaces Jonathan Hogg.
90'+3'
Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Danny Williams replaces Philip Billing.
90'+3'
Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Isaac Mbenza replaces Alex Pritchard.
90'+1'
Post update
Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Willy Boly.
87'
Booking
Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
87'
Post update
Alex Pritchard (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87'
Post update
Foul by Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
86'
Post update
Foul by Alex Pritchard (Huddersfield Town).
86'
Post update
Ryan Bennett (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Post update
Attempt saved. Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Raúl Jiménez.
79'
Post update
Attempt missed. Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
79'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
75'
Post update
Alex Pritchard (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.

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191 comments

Wolves underestimated Huddersfield and got taught a lesson, they will be better for it.

Huddersfield always stand a chance of staying, I am not sure why people write them off, I am doubtful sometimes due to their lack of strike power but its foolish to write any team off unless its mathematically or plain obvious and that just the case with Huddersfield, wagner is a v good manager.
An absolutely brilliant win by the Terriers and deservedly so. They played with passion and pace and were very well organised against a strong Wolves side. They were the better side and attacked at every opportunity. Aaron Mooy at last breaks his duck this season and gets Huddersfield off the bottom of the table. Every neutral will be cheering Huddersfield to progress up the table.
As a neutral I’d suggest DW is up there alongside Howe & Benitez and just behind Pep & Klopp as one of he best PL managers on a pound for pound basis. He has performed miracles with very little cost and a team of virtual unknowns. God loves a trier and we all love an underdog. Makes me think of my beloved Forest in 1978.. I truly hope they stay up and finish mid-table or above!
Does anyone really appreciate what Wagner and Howe and Dyche are doing for these small clubs?
Proven against the very best that they can cut the mustard and give them a game with a team that costs a smidge of what the big boys have.
I also believe top players may prefer a Wagner type over a moral depriving Mourinho for sure !
I've read a few times that wolves are the best team ever promoted from the championship. I'm wondering whether I'll read or hear that again.
Portugal 0 Huddersfield 2
Well done Huddlesfield!
Outstanding from Town, but yet again very impressed with how the Wolves manager conducts himself, if only Mourinho could do the same after a defeat UTT
Huddersfield haven’t just ‘sparked into life’ their performances have been excellent for weeks, they’ve just not got the results they deserve. Well done the Terriers who time again keep proving people wrong.
What a brilliant result! Up the town!
Brilliant performance Town.. Aaron Mooy you legend !
I see with Huddersfield winning, Lawro has lost yet again this week in his predictions.

Maybe the BBC should consider getting a new ‘expert’.
Well done Huddersfield from an envious Saints fan. You have a team that always tries, is organised and looks as though they want to win...
Well done Aaron Mooy...oh why would i leave you on my Fantasy Football bench??? Bad play young sir. Mr Benitez any chance of resting Rondon tomorrow? Ouch. Great work ethic Huddersfield Town you deserve to stay up no question of that. Great manager. Spot on lads.
Well done Huddersfield, although I am not a fan, I want to see them remain in the Premier League because they are real fighters.
Keep up the good work.
We were bad, Huddesfield were good, right team won, we got exactly what we deserved.
Some humility on here but also Wolves fans suggesting we bullied them. No we out passed you. Our players were more skilful than yours. We were altogther the superior premier league outfit. We’re improving while you’ve hit that mid season premier league reality check- that anyone can give you a hiding and every team is full of top class professionals and are expertly coached.
@135 @136 I'm a Londoner and 50 years a Town fan - and not just the football club. Huddersfield is a great town, surrounded by fantastic countryside, fell in love straightaway I went there. The town centre's no worse than most others, and there are some excellent pubs. Oh, and HTFC is a great club, with a great spirit, a great history and a great future. UTT!
Aaron Mooy, 8 million - bargain of the century
that Wagner bloke knows how to pick em.
great display town

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