Barnsley 2-1 Huddersfield Town: Goals from Conor Chaplin and Alex Mowatt decide Yorkshire derby
- Published
Conor Chaplin scored his 10th goal of the season to secure the win for Barnsley
Goals from Alex Mowatt and Conor Chaplin were enough for Barnsley to beat Huddersfield and drag the Terriers back into a relegation battle.
Captain Mowatt latched onto Jacob Brown's low cross to give the Tykes the lead inside the first 15 minutes, despite their Yorkshire rivals dominating the early stages at Oakwell.
Brown later turned provider for Chaplin to score his 10th goal of season from close range but Lewis O'Brien instantly grabbed one back for the visitors with a superb half-volley into the top corner.
Fraizer Campbell and Steve Mounie had chances to rescue a point for Danny Cowley's side, but both forwards failed to hit the target as Barnsley climbed to 22nd, a point from safety.
Campbell had broken free into the area in the first half but was stopped from getting a shot away by former Terriers defender Jordan Williams with a superbly-timed slide tackle.
Gerhard Struber's side threatened Huddersfield's defence throughout the match but were unable to extend their lead in a scrappy second half.
Barnsley are now unbeaten in their last five games at home, a welcome change after going 17 matches without a win between August and November.
The Terriers, meanwhile, are just four points above the drop zone and host third-place Brentford next.
Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber:
"I am very proud of my team. We played very well against a big opponent. This is a big opponent, Huddersfield, and they have a big budget.
"We created a very good game. We made the next step in my style on the ball.
"I think this is the next very important step on this strong way to stay in the league.
"I think we have big support from our fans and I am happy that we have three points. We have a team that is always fighting."
Huddersfield manager Danny Cowley:
"It's a disappointing outcome, for sure.
"I thought we started the game quite well and then conceded with their first venture into our box.
"I was disappointed with how we responded to that goal. I didn't think we got to our levels for the rest of the first half.
"I didn't think that we played with the intensity or the energy that we would have liked after the first goal.
"We had some moments towards the end but if we're brutally honest we lacked that quality to be able to get back into the game."
