Having picked up their first point of the season last time out against Middlesbrough, the Terriers’season looked set to worsen further as they welcomed a high-flying Norwich side to the John Smith’s Stadium. The Canaries have won all but one of their games thus far, being held to a four-all draw by Southampton on Matchday 2.
HUD: Nicholls; Ruffels, Helik, Pearson, Edwards; Hogg, Rudoni; Koroma, Diarra, Thomas; Ward
NOR: Gunn; Giannoulis, Gibson, Duffy, Stacey; Sara, McLean; Rowe, Barnes, Fassnacht; Sargent
An early chance fell for the visitors as they sought to take an early lead against dismal opposition, but Sargent’s header was sent crashing straight into the arms of Nicholls.
Koroma too would have a chance for the hosts mere minutes later, with the forward thundering a long-range effort against the post – and the early indications forecasted a thrilling affair at the John Smith’s Stadium.
It was the Canaries that took the lead though, and it was none other than Sargent that found the back of the net to open the scoring. A blunderous error from Nicholls saw the goalkeeper smash an attempted clearance straight into the path of the American forward, latching onto the loose ball to thump a header over the line.
Yet bad would turn to worse for the hosts, as Pearson felled Rowe inside the penalty area. Granted with an opportunity to double their lead from the spot, Barnes made no mistake – and the visitors had a two-goal advantage after just seventeen minutes.
Keen to find a way back into the contest before the half-time break, the Terriers sought to test Gunn with efforts from Ward and Ruffels – but Ward’s effort was sent over the woodwork and the latter’s headed effort failed to threaten the ‘keeper.
It looked as though any hopes of a Huddersfield comeback had been buried further just three minutes into the second half, as Rowe netted his fifth goal in five games to hand the Canaries a three-goal advantage.
And the rout was finally completed in the 84th minute, as Idah added the fourth goal of the afternoon with a composed finish from a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
Huddersfield Town have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, so they’ll return to Championship action on Saturday as they travel to West Brom. For Norwich City though, they must first head to Ashton Gate on Tuesday.
