HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0, CARDIFF CITY 0
Huddersfield Town captain Jonathan Hogg was sent off for violent conduct after 63 minutes of their tepid contest against Cardiff City but the Terriers held on for a point in a game of precious little entertainment.
Town manager David Wagner made five changes to the side that was well beaten by Manchester City last weekend. Matthias Zanka, Jonathan Hogg, Aaron Mooy, Adama Diakhaby, and Rajiv van La Parra came into the side, replacing Tommy Smith, Chris Lowe, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Alex Pritchard and Abdelhamid Sabiri.
The game was watched by David Moyes and Frank Worthington although there was precious little entertainment for them for most of the first half and little more than that until the sending off of Hogg.
The Terriers returned to a flat back four with a win against promoted Cardiff City the priority and the attacking intent was clear from the start even if the quality wasn’t.
Despite some decent possession statistics for the Terriers their problems in front of goal were highlighted again in front of a highly organised and physical Bluebirds defence.
Diakhaby was making his first start for the Terriers while Wagner kept faith with Ben Hamer despite some high profile errors from the new signing earlier in the season.
Hamer was poleaxed by a sliding tackle by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing who left his boot in after the one and only shot on target in the first half and connected with the Town keeper’s midriff after five minutes after both went for the same ball.
The Cardiff winger came off worst with what looked like a jarred knee and was stretchered off after almost five minutes of treatment on the pitch and the unfortunate Ben Hamer lasted barely two more minutes before indicating that he could not continue – meaning Danish goalkeeper Jonas Lossl made his first appearance of the season from the Terriers’ bench.
Philip Billing crossed from the left flank and and Terence Kongolo’s strike rippled the side netting and Town went on to dominate the ball against Cardiff without really carving out a clear chance as the game threatened to play out as the billing suggested – a basement battle lacking quality between Premier League strugglers.
Town struggled to get much past Cardiff’s defence despite being offered several opportunities to try their luck.
Daikhaby was released for a run on goal in injury time after being released by Mooy but could not find a shot to test Neil Etheridge with in the Cardff goal.
Josh Murphy headed wide from Kenneth Zohore’s cross early in the second period as Cardiff looked to remind Town that they were in a game while Harry Arter at least forced Lossl into a save after 51 minutes with a tame effort.
Steve Mounie had a couple of chances blocked as Town at least started to threaten the Cardiff goal but loose passing and ponderous decision making ensured the Terriers telegraphed their every move to their visitors.
Jonathan Hogg sent off for violent conduct to ignite a tepid game against Cardiff City
There was drama in the 62nd minute when Jonathan Hogg and Harry Arter tangled on the edge of the six yard box during a Cardiff set piece and both went to ground before Arter pushed Hogg and the Town midfielder retaliated with a head butt.
Referee Michael Oliver consulted with his assistant before booking Arter and sending off Hogg. Isaac Mbenza replaced Diakhaby for his debut as Town reorganised.
Cardiff understandably had more chances after Hogg left the field as the game became more open in the last quarter.
Sol Bamba’s header was directed straight at Lossl and the game was becoming stretched in the last quarter when the Town ‘keeper saved from Cardiff substitute Danny Ward before Sean Morrison headed wide and Lossl saved again from Murphy.
Bobby Reid’s late shot went out for a corner and Town settled for belting the ball away to maintain a hard fought point with Reid denied again in injury time by Lossl as he raced out to collect a loose ball.
It remains to be seen if one or both sides can escape the relegation trapdoor this season but on this display there is a lot of work to be done.
MATCH STATS – Huddersfield Town 0, Cardiff City 0
Huddersfield Town: Hamer (Lossl 13), Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo, Hogg, Billing, Mooy, Van La Parra, Diakhaby (Mbenza 68), Mounie (Depoitre 80)
Huddersfield Town Subs not used: Smith, Lowe, Pritchard, Stankovic
Sent Off: Hogg 63
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Arter, Camarasa (De Cordova Reid 75), Ralls, Mendez-Laing (Paterson 10), J. Murphy, Zokore (Ward 59)
Cardiff City Subs not used: Smithies, Peltier, Cunningham, Madine
Booked: Arter 63
Attendance: 23787 (2093 Cardiff City fans)