Jordan Rhodes struck late to seal the overall 2-1 victory for Huddersfield and send them to the final of the Sky Bet Championship playoffs at the expense of Luton.
After a 1-1 draw in the first game on Friday night, it was Hatters who dominated most of the matches at John Smith Stadium, but failed to reveal their potential.
And they would pay for it late when Rhodes hit eight minutes to secure his place in the final. They will face Nottingham Forest or Sheffield United – who meet in the return leg of their own draw on Tuesday night – as they continue their quest to return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
For Luton, this is the end of a fantastic campaign in which they oppose all chances to reach the playoffs in the first place. Their journey will continue in the Championship next season and their 30-year absence from the Premier League continues.
Luton is paying for missed chances as Huddersfield hit late
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Jordan Rhodes came to the end of a wonderful free kick by Sorba Thomas to give Huddersfield the lead over Luton
Luton’s away record against the best teams in the league was not great this season, but they started brilliantly on Monday night and had to lead the draw in 11 minutes when Cal Naismith and Alan Campbell connected before the latter found Harry Cornick unmarked in the middle, but could only shoot straight at Lee Nichols – when completing each side would be a sure goal.
Huddersfield’s only real start in the second half was in the 37th minute, when Harry Tofolo lifted the ball 35 yards from the goal and slid past two markers to enter the penalty area. But he, too, could only shoot Matt Ingram.
Tofolo and Ingram then got involved again in 75 minutes, after Luton’s goalkeeper made two excellent saves, he seems to have clumsily knocked down Huddersfield’s left-back. The guests shouted for a penalty, but referee Peter Banks turned down their demands.
But Huddersfield would not be left to regret this moment, as Rhodes – who came on as a substitute in the first half of the injured Danny Ward – arrived on the far post to enter and finish after Sorba Thomas’ free kick and sent the terriers to Wembley.
What the managers said …
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Carlos Corberan felt Luton were stronger than Huddersfield in the first half, but his team had the right character to return to the game.
Carlos Corberan of Huddersfield: “Our goal was to get to Wembley to play in the final and we achieved that. As a club, we always try to learn from everything we do and use that experience to improve, and that’s what we’ve done this year.
“Players are the key. I had a very good group of players to work with, with an amazing character. We are determined to do something special this year, and with this group of players everything was easy.
“The first half was a challenge. They were better than us. In the second half we tried to press more and the game was more balanced. I don’t think either side was better [after half-time]. It was a very competitive semi-final. “
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Nathan Jones felt that Luton was the better side and was very proud of their performance.
Luton’s Nathan Jones: “First and foremost, let’s congratulate Huddersfield, because they’ve been great all season and they’re going to Wembley. Secondly, I can no longer be proud of my team. Tonight we were the best team and we missed chances in the first half. There was a bit of slop in the second half, after which they scored from a set game.
“I’m so, so proud of the team and how they did their job. We had to fight with absolutely everything. We have eight missing tonight and the margins were so small. But it’s not sour grapes, I’m so proud of my team and I thought we were brilliant tonight. We will come back stronger for this. We will start working again tomorrow to be even better next year. “
“The man of the match Rhodes made the difference”
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Jordan Rhodes says he will remember Huddersfield’s victory over Luton for the rest of his life, while Sorba Thomas explains how he aimed at the striker for the winning goal.
Joby McAnuf at Sky Sports Football:
“For me, it’s all about Jordan Rhodes. He’s a cunning old fox, and I think it all comes down to that in the end; a team that has a real goal scorer who has done it for so many years and perhaps one who has missed out on a truly vital moment of the season.
“You have to take your hat off to the quality of the delivery, but also the movement, the desire and, of course, the Rhodes final to achieve that goal.
Curtis Davis for Sky Sports Football:
“He’s completely different from Danny Ward. Ward gets a little more involved in the game, he enters and plays the channels, while Jordan wants to stay against the last central half. I said he needed a chance and to be honest, it was half a chance.
“It simply came to our notice then. He stretches his leg and this instinct to just find the bottom corner is amazing and he does. This is what he has always done at this level. It’s not necessarily the player you’ll see throughout the game, but when it comes to risk, he’s one of the best. “
Huddersfield is not done “Luton was the better country”
Joby McAnuf at Sky Sports Football:
“That’s what they’ve been working on all season. They’ve been dreaming about it for so long, but the job isn’t done. They can enjoy tonight, but there’s another game to play at Wembley.”
Curtis Davis for Sky Sports Football:
“It’s an amazing feeling for Huddersfield, especially after so many chances in the first half. Luton was the better team, but getting to the top will be a huge relief for Huddersfield.”
What next?
will head to the final of the Sky Bet Championship playoffs to face Nottingham Forest or Sheffield United at Wembley on Sunday, May 29 – live on Sky Sports Football.
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