David Wagner hails 'massive' win as Huddersfield beat West Brom to move clear of relegation zone
Saturday 24 February 2018 18:36, UK
David Wagner was left delighted with Huddersfield's fighting spirit as a 2-1 win at West Brom moved them three points clear of the relegation zone.
Huddersfield secured back-to-back Premier League victories thanks to second-half goals from Rajiv van La Parra and Steve Mounie.
A Craig Dawson header brought rock-bottom West Brom back into the game, but Huddersfield held on to move up to 14th in the table.
"It's a massive win, of course it is," Wagner told Sky Sports. "I spoke before about how important this game is, that it's a final for both teams. We won it and we are delighted for all the supporters, the players and all the backroom staff, for all the effort they brought from training onto the pitch.
"It was a final for both teams. We came over this period of the first five, 10 minutes without conceding a goal, even if they didn't have the clear-cut chances.
"It was an open game. In the second half we scored two wonderful goals and kept them away from goal, as good as possible.
"We know how strong they are from set-pieces and they scored one from a corner. Something you like to avoid but it's not always possible - it's a wonderful afternoon for us."
Van La Parra could have added a second late on, while a match-high six tackles outlined his all-round commitment to the cause.
"He has shown everything" Wagner added. "In some situations you thought, 'C'mon my friend, what are you doing?', but he has shown some genius moments as well.
"He is an offensive threat and sometimes he is unplayable. Sometimes he makes wrong decisions, but he has everything and we will help and support him to bring him on another level.
"It's great that he scored another goal. We always moaned that he is not dangerous enough, now he has scored a lot of important goals for us. He is in a good way."
