Huddersfield 4-1 Bournemouth: Steve Mounie helps end winless run

Steve Mounie helped Huddersfield Town end an eight-game winless run with a 4-1 win over Bournemouth at the John Smith's Stadium on Sunday.

Huddersfield took an early lead after Mounie set up Alex Pritchard for his first Premier League goal, only for Junior Stanislas (13) to soon level matters for the visitors.

Mounie's thumping header gave David Wagner's team the lead again after 27 minutes - the striker's third goal in his last four appearances - before Steve Cook's own goal from Mounie's deflected shot (66) increased the hosts' advantage midway through the second half.

The gloss was provided by Rajiv van La Parra's stoppage-time penalty as Huddersfield moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a first league win since early December, while Bournemouth remain 10th.

Huddersfield, seeking their first victory of 2018, made a dream start after taking a seventh-minute lead.

A simple ball over the top released Mounie down the left flank and the striker drove into the area, before pulling the ball back for the Pritchard to sweep home his first-ever goal for the Terriers.

However, the home side's lead lasted just six minutes. Huddersfield's defence tried unsuccessfully to catch Ryan Fraser offside on the right-hand touchline, before the winger crossed for the unmarked Stanislas to cushion the ball and coolly side-foot past Jonas Lossl.

Huddersfield went in ahead at the break, though, as Mounie rose highest to power Aaron Mooy's inviting free kick into the back of the net just before the half-hour mark.

In the second half, Bournemouth were guilty of giving the ball away carelessly in midfield to Mooy. The Australian powered forward, before crossing for Mounie to shoot at goal, with Steve Cook deflecting the forward's effort past Asmir Begovic.

The scoring was complete in the fifth minute of injury time when the impressive Pritchard's dribble was ended by Dan Gosling's clumsy challenge in the box, with Van La Parra keeping his cool from the spot to hand Huddersfield a first league win in nine games.

Opta stats

• Huddersfield scored more goals against Bournemouth (4) as they managed in their previous eight Premier League games combined (3)
• Bournemouth are the seventh team Huddersfield have beaten in all four tiers of English league football, along with Bradford, Brentford, Bury, Grimsby, Portsmouth and Watford
• Pritchard has been involved in three goals in three league games against Bournemouth (2 goals, 1 assist)
• All three of Junior Stanislas' goals in the Premier League this season have come away from home, while he's also netted in consecutive away games in the competition for the first time
• Ryan Fraser has been involved in five goals in his last six Premier League games (three goals, two assists), as many as in previous 30 matches

Managers

David Wagner: "It was a huge win for all of us. We said before the game that this is massive for us and that after Old Trafford we had the difficult fixtures behind us.

"Now it's time to build up momentum against opponents which are in front of us, against whom we are more competitive.

"But it's one thing to speak about it and another thing - and this shows character - to do it and the players have done that."

Eddie Howe: "I apologise to them for the performance. There's not much else I can say.

"When you're aware of the financial and time sacrifices that people make, you want to reward them with an inspiring performance, one that they can go away and talk about for many years. I don't think that will be happening after that.

"I knew that Huddersfield would have wanted to get the crowd involved in the game today very early.

"Unfortunately for us, we allowed that to happen by conceding early. We fought back very well, but after that, we just faded away. It wasn't great from us. We had no control."

Man of the Match - Steve Mounie

The 23-year-old was a real handful all afternoon long, with the Bournemouth defence unable to cope with the powerful forward.

Mounie set up Pritchard for the opener, before putting his side back in front with an excellent header. The Benin international was then heavily involved in Huddersfield's crucial third goal to round off an excellent attacking display.

What's next?

Huddersfield entertain Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round at tea time on Saturday, before facing a crucial trip to fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion in the league seven days later.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday February 24.

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