Huddersfield Town 3 Nottingham Forest 0: Powell - I’ll push Town to be the best they can

Joel Lynch took just 43 seconds to head home against his former club and well-worked goals from Nakhi Wells and Grant Holt 
either side of half-time capped an excellent display by the hosts, who are now unbeaten in their last seven outings.

Powell, who saw Town take just one point from his first three games in charge after replacing Mark Robins in September, put the turnaround down to an increase in confidence.

Forest struggled to deal with the raw pace of Wells and man of the match Sean Scannell.

“That was an outstanding display,” said Powell. “We made a perfect start, obviously, but for us to play the way we did – I thought our game management was superb.

“Some of our football, our wing play and our finishing was a real joy and I was really proud of all the players because, even in the ‘93rd’ and ‘94th’ minute, we were putting our bodies on the line to try and keep a clean sheet and that’s the attitude that will take us forward.

“Basically, I’ve done my best to try and instil confidence – of course results help. I wanted intensity, I wanted good football, wing play when we could, but good balance in the team, and we’re getting there with that.

“They’re really trying their best and enjoying each other and enjoying their football and they all want to play their part – it’s great to see.

“The chairman wants us to over-achieve as a team, but we’re realistic with where we are and what we are financially. I’m going to push them to be the best they can because you just never know where that will take you.”

The visitors got off to a terrible start when Jack Robinson’s long throw was glanced into the net by unmarked Lynch, who claimed his first goal of the season against the club he left in 2012.

Tommy Smith’s cross narrowly evaded Holt and Wells in the 17th minute, but three minutes later Town doubled their advantage.

Holt delivered a cross from the left and Wells ghosted into space before stooping to plant a diving header in the bottom corner.

Scannell went on a fine 54th-minute run down the right, laid the ball off for Holt, and the on-loan Wigan striker unleashed a left-footed drive into the net from 20 yards.

Alex Smithies did well to deny Britt Assombalonga and visiting goalkeeper Karl Darlow kept the score down by tipping Conor Coady’s effort over.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Hudson, Lynch, Robinson, Scannell (Ward 87), Coady, Butterfield, Bunn, Wells (Peltier 81), Holt (Paterson 90). Unused substitutes: Dixon, Gerrard, Murphy, Wallace.

Nottingham Forest: Darlow, Lichaj (Hunt 60), Mancienne, Lascelles, Fox, Vaughan (Osborn 60), Tesche (Christopher Burke 61), Antonio, Lansbury, Ince, Assombalonga. Unused substitutes: Harding, Veldwijk, Paterson, De Vries.

Referee: A Davies (Hampshire).

Man of the match: Sean Scannell.