Match report as Huddersfield reach the Carabao Cup second round after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Sheffield Wednesday following a 0-0 draw; Lee Nicholls saves two penalties before Lewis O'Brien converts winning spot-kick
Sunday 1 August 2021 19:27, UK
Huddersfield beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 in a penalty shootout to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup after the game finished goalless in normal time.
The first chance of the game fell to Huddersfield's Scott High in the 12th minute when his shot from the edge of the area forced a fine save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Lewis O'Brien had another chance for the visitors after dispossessing Dennis Adeniran, firing a low shot which was well saved by Peacock-Farrell to his left.
A 20-yard shot from Adeniran was comfortably saved by Lee Nicholls.
Huddersfield threatened again when Levi Colwill's header went just wide and a Danny Ward header was comfortably saved by Peacock-Farrell.
At the other end, a low shot from Callum Paterson was straight at Nicholls.
As the visitors continued to threaten, a chip from Duane Holmes went over the bar, Ward's deflected shot hit the side-netting and Peacock-Farrell saved an effort from Holmes.
When Sorba Thomas found himself through on goal, Barry Bannan raced back to make a vital challenge.
In stoppage time, Huddersfield substitute Jordan Rhodes' goal-bound header was cleared by Sam Hutchinson and the former Owls striker also headed wide.
Nicholls was the hero for Huddersfield in the shootout, saving spot-kicks from Massimo Luongo and Liam Palmer.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore: "I thought it was a high-level performance. Both teams were absolutely spot on and at times I thought we moved the ball really well.
"Both teams cancelled each other out and I thought it was a relatively even contest. We're disappointed because we don't want to lose games.
"There's always something to work on. We need to keep working on the training ground to get prepared for next weekend.
"We've had a large turnaround of players and they can all feel happy with their performance. They've gone toe-to-toe with Championship opponents. They'll settle down and get better."
Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan: "We came here wanting to continue in the Carabao Cup and we have achieved that target.
"We knew it would be a very competitive game and we created chances using our aggression against a team that kept good quality in the game.
"In some moments today, we played very well. I think the squad has given me a lot more depth. We have more options to play players in different positions."
Sheffield Wednesday visit Charlton in their Sky Bet League One opener next Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football. Coverage starts at 5pm with kick-off at 5.30pm.
Huddersfield travel to Derby on the opening day of the Sky Bet Championship season at 3pm on Saturday.
