Huddersfield Town 2 QPR 0: Terriers outclass visitors in fine display

WHAT can be garnered from the Carlos Corberan era thus far is that when his Huddersfield Town side get it right, they are a treat to watch.
John Smith's Stadium.John Smith's Stadium.
John Smith's Stadium.

That was showcased in an utterly dominant victory over QPR, who could and perhaps should have been on the receiving end of a heavy beating.

The Londoners - so hapless in a 3-0 defeat at Barnsley in October - were again inept. But they should not take anything away from a fine display from Corberan’s side.

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They out-ran, out-fought and out-thought the visitors and scored two fine goals. It was an eye-catching exhibition of football which saw Josh Koroma and Harry Toffolo score cracking goals.

There was, sadly, one downside with captain Christopher Schindler coming off with a knee injury after falling awkwardly following a saving challenge on Bright Osayi-Smauel.

After lengthy attention from Town’s medical staff, he hobbled off with their assistance. Given the extended absence of Richard Stearman, it was a very untimely moment.

Aside from that, there were a plethora of positives.

Given their closeness in terms of league positions, defensive statistics and possession-based playing styles, the odds were on a closely-fought contest and a bit of entertainment as well.

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In the event, all the first-half aplomb, authority and incision arrived from Town, who produced a high-class team performance crowned by two super goals.

In contrast, QPR were not at the races, with their manager Mark Warburton pictured scribbling furiously just before the break and speaking with his coaching staff.

He would not have been amused by what he had seen, far less so than the watching Town supporters viewing the game remotely. They will have lapped it up.

The excellence began early with Josh Koroma - whose endeavour saw him score a smart late winner against Middlesbrough seven days earlier - provided a wonderful encore.

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He cut inside on the left on three minutes before unleashing a fabulous curler with his right foot which flew past Seny Dieng.

Soon after, Toffolo was thwarted by Dieng, who made a fine save low down after Koroma turned provider. But the irrepressible Terriers left-back was not to be denied.

He netted a lovely second goal on 39 minutes after latching onto Koroma’s assist and it was another high-class moment to guild a beguiling half from Huddersfield.

Some of their incisive, one-touch football was a delight.

QPR were passive and tame in comparison with a low shot from ex-Town loanee Chris Willock which was safely gathered by Ben Hamer, in his 350th career appearance, being a token gesture.

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Across the pitch, Town won battles and displayed real quality.

Two fabulous team moves almost yielded further goals for Fraizer Campbell and Koroma, but the goals they did score were a joy.

The tempo would continue on the restart from the hosts, who were entitled to be mindful that another quick goal might just be the precursor to a rout, given QPR’s collective ineptitude.

It nearly arrived when Koroma just failed to turn in Pipa’s centre before the Spaniard tested the reactions of ex-Doncaster Rovers loanee Dieng with a stinging drive.

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Dieng, the only R’s player to emerge with any semblance of credit, then turned away an effort from the impressive Lewis O’Brien after good work from the increasingly influential Pipa.

The only thing lacking for Town in a game in which they were in total control was a few more goals to confirm their dominance, with QPR looking ripe for the footballing equivalent of a good hiding.

Schindler’s late departure would check Town’s hopes of a third, with a deflected shot from Yoann Barbet coming close to reducing the arrears.

But it was Huddersfield’s day, by a country mile.

Huddersfield Town: Hamer; Pipa (Bacuna 73), Schindler (Edmonds-Green 79), Sarr, Toffolo; Hogg, Elting, O’Brien; Mbenza (Duhaney 87), Campbell (Ward 73), Koroma. Substitutes unused: Schofield, Pritchard, Diakhaby, Brown, Daly.

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QPR: Dieng; Kane, Dickie, Barbet, Hamalainen; Cameron (Ball 56), Carroll; Osayi-Samuel (Kelman 81), Chair (Adomah 81), Willock (Thomas 56); Dykes (Bonne 45). Substitutes unused: Kelly, Masterton, Kakay, Bettache.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northants).

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