Huddersfield 3 Watford 1: Lynch is lauded for his all-round performance

Centre-back Lynch scored Town’s third goal with a superb overhead kick seven minutes from time to see off play-off hopefuls Watford.

After a goalless first half Huddersfield took control, going ahead through Nahki Wells in the 52nd minute.

The striker slotted home from close range from Jacob Butterfield’s cross, but Watford levelled in the 66th minute after Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies allowed substitute Odion Ighalo’s shot to slip through his hands.

James Vaughan made it 2-1 for the home side in the 77th minute, flicking home Wells’s cross.

Lynch sealed the three points when his perfectly-executed overhead kick cannoned in off the underside of the bar. Lynch was making his return after missing six matches with a hamstring injury and also celebrated his 200th league appearance.

Powell said: “I thought Lynch was very good defensively in the first half. He has been out for five weeks and even though we have had decent results he has been a big miss.

“I thought he handled potentially the best partnership in the league very well and his goal was in goal of the season territory. I thought he was immense.”

Powell said of Smithies’s blunder: “I want to place on record that Alex has earned us points this season and there’s no blame attached.”

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Hudson, Lynch, Robinson, Scannell, Coady, Butterfield, Gobern, Wells, Vaughan (Lolley 90). Unused substitutes: Dixon, Crooks, Billing, Allinson, Peltier, Majewski.

Watford: Gomes (Bond 63), Hoban, Cathcart, Angella, Layun, Munari, Tozser, Abdi, Pudil (Anya 64), Deeney, Vydra (Ighalo 64). Unused substitutes: Paredes, Murray, Doherty,Smith.

Referee: C Kavanagh (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Joel Lynch.