Yorkshire | Huddersfield Town advance after stunning Leicester City

Huddersfield Town 2 - 2 Leicester City (Huddersfield won 3-2 on penalties)

A thriller in the Carabao Cup went Huddersfield Town’s way after the Terriers twice came from behind in regular time before advancing on penalties.

Author | James Lees

Stadium | Accu Stadium

Fans watch on in a half empty stadium

In-depth analysis of what happened

Despite both sides making several changes for the midweek tie, the opening exchanges were lively under the warm West Yorkshire sun.

Starting brightly, Huddersfield earned an early corner and looked dangerous down both wings, though the final ball often lacked precision. Dion Charles nearly caught goalkeeper Stolarczyk off his line with a lob from just past halfway but could not get enough height on the attempt.

Leicester’s first purposeful attack ended with Jeremy Monga going down in the box, with referee David Webb well placed to book him for simulation despite appeals. Huddersfield had seen a penalty claim waved away earlier when Ruben Roosken appeared to be clipped from behind.

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Dion Charles again caused problems for defenders approaching the half-hour mark, playing a neat pass to Cameron Ashia before the ball found Ruben Roosken. His shot forced Stolarczyk into a scrambling save over the bar.

The half ended with both sides trading measured attacks, Leicester’s corners cleared efficiently by Huddersfield.

The second half

Huddersfield began the second half unchanged, while Leicester made one substitution. The Terriers looked most dangerous down the left through Wallace, Roughan and Roosken, but the final ball continued to evade them as Leicester dropped deep.

Huddersfield were made to pay after 54 minutes when Leicester captain Hamza Choudhury struck a half-volley into the top corner from the right side of the box. Two minutes later, Huddersfield responded, with Ruben Roosken’s ball to Dion Charles blocked, before a free-kick found Josh Feeney whose header was straight at Stolarczyk.

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Ben Wiles then forced a diving save from Stolarczyk, almost scoring before being replaced by summer loan signing Leo Castledine.

Just over an hour in, Huddersfield were awarded a penalty after Ruben Roosken’s clever flick drew a foul. Dion Charles struck low, Stolarczyk saved, but Dan Vost followed in to level for the Terriers. Leicester quickly regained the lead through Harry Winks, but Huddersfield kept pressing.

In the 76th minute, Cameron Ashia curled in a superb effort to equalise again, sparking wild scenes in the Riverside Stand. Leo Castledine’s late half-volley almost won it, but the game went to penalties.

To penalties then...

The drama of penalties

Lee Nicholls set the tone by saving the first spot-kick from Jordan Ayew. Stephy Mavididi, Alfie May, Luke Thomas, and Castledine scored for Huddersfield, while El Khannouss hit the post. Lasse Sorensen put the Terriers ahead, and a final save from Nicholls ensured a win over Leicester.

Huddersfield secured a third win from three games in all competitions and will look to carry the momentum into their weekend trip to Blackpool.