With Huddersfield lingering in the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, the Terriers would fancy their chances against another side that has failed to record a point thus far in the 2023/24 EFL Championship.
MID: Dieng; Engel, Lenihan, Fry, van den Berg; Hackney, Howson; Silvera, Rogers, Forss; Lath
HUD: Nicholls; Ruffels, Helik, Pearson, Edwards; Rudoni, Hogg; Koroma, Diarra, Thomas; Ward
A bright start for the hosts saw Lath unleash an early effort as Boro begin to accustom themselves to life without Chuba Akpom, but the forward’s strike was sent wide of the target.
With both sides desperate for points, an end-to-end clash was to be expected – and it was Pearson that looked to open the scoring shortly afterwards. The defender took the ball on his thigh before rifling a strike towards goal, though Dieng was able to palm it away from danger.
Silvera looked to net his second goal of the season just before the twenty-minute mark, curling his effort just wide of the post though. Diarra squandered another opportunity for the visitors soon after, rifling his strike against the woodwork after connecting with Thomas’ delivery into the penalty area.
Forss looked to hand Middlesbrough a much-needed opener just before the half-hour mark, though his strike deflected off Ruffels and settled on the roof of the net – much to the relief of Nicholls, who was seemingly frozen between the posts.
Huddersfield took an instant lead at the start of the second half, with Thomas’ corner creating panic inside the penalty area. Fry turned the ball into his own net inadvertently, and Middlesbrough’s dire start to the season looked set to continue.
Hackney provided a much-needed equaliser though just after the hour mark, with the local star cutting inside and thundering an effort past Nicholls. Middlesbrough needed that goal, and would fancy their chances of a win if they could build on their newfound momentum.
Nicholls had to produce an impressive stop to deny Lath soon after, with the forward sent through on goal by Hackney – but the Huddersfield ‘keeper did well to ensure the game remained level. Burgzorg was introduced with fifteen minutes left to play as the Terriers continued their search for the winner, but the debutants wasn’t able to produce the required moment of magic to seal three points.
With both sides now sitting on a point apiece, they’ll look to add to their tally next weekend. Middlesbrough will travel to West Bromwich Albion, while Huddersfield Town prepare to host Norwich City – the Canaries currently sit third in the table.
