Report | Huddersfield Town 1 Swansea City 1
Flynn Downes’ first Swansea City goal capped a superb second-half performance to earn a point at high-flying Huddersfield.
The Swans had trailed at the interval as Danel Sinani profited from defensive hesitation to convert a rebound from close range.
But the visitors controlled the second half against a Terriers side unbeaten in their last seven games, and they got their reward when Downes finished a smart move with a calm finish.
It was no less than Russell Martin’s side deserved, and they will feel they easily have left with all three points with Ryan Manning, Olivier Ntcham and Matt Grimes all going close.
Ben Hamer also played his part, making three magnificent saves against his former club.
And the impressive nature of the showing was added to by this being a first league fixture in five weeks.
New signing Cyrus Christie had been handed a debut for the Swans, while Ben Cabango, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ntcham and Grimes also came into the line-up.
The opening exchanges were cagey but it was Hamer who was the first keeper called into action a he made two superb saves.
He firstly did superbly to tip a rising drive from Lewis O’Brien over the bar, and then denied a point-blank header from Terriers skipper Jonathan Hogg from the resulting corner before the offside flag was raised.
The Swans began to find their feet, with Latibeaudiere and Ntcham delivering good balls into the box, while Joel Piroe fired wide but was deemed offside in any case.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 15th minute.
Josh Koroma got away down the left and delivered a cross towards Danny Ward. A good challenge saw the ball blocked but the Swans were slow to react, allowing O’Brien to get in a low strike that Hamer parried and Sinani smashed home.
The Swans almost got an immediate response. Piroe nodding the ball down for Manning to fire a firm volley that Lee Nicholls did well to push away.
Not to be outdone, Hamer made another outstanding stop just before the half-hour.
O’Brien looked odds-on to score after Sorba Thomas got clear down the right and laid a lovely cross into the midfielder’s path, only for Hamer to stand strong and block his close-range strike.
The visitors enjoyed a better spell before the break, Grimes seeing his awkward low shot tipped away by Nicholls.
The Swans also made a good start to the second half as they swept upfield, with debutant Christie beating his man and forcing another save from Nicholls.
Latibeaudiere headed wide from the resulting corner and Manning dragged an effort off target with the visitors firmly on the front foot.
Huddersfield keeper Nicholls was being kept very busy, hold Ntcham’s volley before the Frenchman went closer still as he took aim from a nice lay-off by Latibeaudiere and the keeper just about kept out the swerving strike.
Chances kept coming, Manning seeing a volley blocked after Huddersfield half cleared a corner.
Christie was having a lot of joy down the right and his fine cross was only just kept away from the waiting Piroe.
The Dutchman was the next to try his luck, but Nicholls was equal to his low near-post effort after a mazy run.
Piroe then failed to make a good connection as a poor backpass rolled into his path as time began to tick away for the Swans.
But the goal finally arrived with 12 minutes to play through Downes.
Slick but patient build-up worked the room for Korey Smith on the right, and he picked out his onrushing midfield partner who steered the ball into the bottom corner.
The Swans pressed for a winner with Ntcham forcing Nicholls into his latest save, before Hamer made a excellent stop to prevent Ward snatching the points for Huddersfield.
There was still time for more drama, Piroe steering a header agonisingly wide in the final seconds.
Huddersfield Town: Lee Nicholls; Ollie Turton (Jordan Rhodes 86), Matty Pearson, Tom Lees; Sorba Thomas, Jonathan Hogg (captain), Lewis O'Brien, Harry Toffolo; Danel Sinani (Scott High 46), Josh Koroma (Pipa 72); Danny Ward.
Unused Substitutes: Nicholas Bilokapic, Josh Ruffels, Naby Sarr, Jon Russell.
Swansea City: Ben Hamer; Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Manning; Cyrus Christie (Michael Obafemi 68), Flynn Downes, Matt Grimes (captain), Joel Latibeaudiere; Korey Smith, Olivier Ntcham (Kyle Joseph 88); Joel Piroe.
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Ryan Bennett, Jay Fulton, Liam Walsh, Azeem Abdulai.
Referee: David Webb
Attendance: 20, 535
