Huddersfield 2-2 QPR: Ilias Chair and Luke Amos salvage a point and end losing streak for Mark Warburton’s side… as the Terriers fail to close gap on automatic promotion rivals
- Huddersfield were held to a 2-2 draw in the league with QPR on Friday afternoon
- Rangers came back from behind twice in the game to earn a point on the road
- The Terriers missed an opportunity to close gap on Bournemouth to two points
- Mark Warburton’s side ended their four match losing streak in the league
Carlos Corberan tasted promotion to the Premier League with Leeds United two years ago but, after this setback, his Huddersfield side appear increasingly set for the lottery of the play-offs.
The highly-rated Spaniard was part of Marcelo Bielsa’s coaching staff when the Elland Road giants returned to the top flight after a 16-year absence.
Corberan’s reputation prompted Huddersfield to appoint him as manager that summer and, after a disappointing 20th-placed finish last season, his men have been a side transformed this term.
Harry Toffolo (right) scored Huddersfield’s second goal of the afternoon on Friday
Automatic promotion cannot yet be completely discounted – not with so many sides in the top six continuing to drop points – and Huddersfield remain well placed in third, seven points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
QPR twice fought back to level and end a five-game losing streak, leaving the majority of a bumper 19,636 crowd hugely frustrated.
It said much for Huddersfield’s progress under Corberan.
The 39-year-old Town boss said: ‘We wanted to get the three points but I have to appreciate the players’ efforts.
‘Today’s results show you how hard it is to win games in the Championship.
Luke Amos (left) scored his fifth goal of the season in their draw at the John Smith’s Stadium
‘We have performed better but we did work hard. In the end, a draw was a fair result.’
David Wagner guided Huddersfield into the Premier League in May 2017 and kept them up the following season.
This is a very different Terriers side, yet is characterised by the same kind of collective desire instilled by Wagner.
Huddersfield led when Danel Sinani’s sixth-minute corner was inadvertently turned into his own net by Rangers captain Yoann Barnet.
The visitors replied when Luke Amos fired home a low equaliser before the break.
Ilias Chair (left) brought his tally up to nine goals for the season following his equaliser
Terriers missed an opportunity to close the gap on Bournemouth to two points
Harry Toffolo headed Huddersfield back in front from Ollie Turton’s cross before Ilias Chair’s superb volley levelled matters in the 58th minute.
Rangers might have won it had Amos not headed wide late on.
Visiting boss Mark Warburton, who is fighting for his job, said: ‘We moved the ball very well in the second half against a really good side – I like what Carlos has done here at Huddersfield.
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