Huddersfield Town lose first game under Andre Breitenreiter as referee makes bizarre decision in 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City
Having beaten Watford and then drawn with Leeds, Huddersfield were unable to prevent Cardiff claiming a third successive Championship win to leave them level on points with the relegation zone.
Famara Diedhiou’s first goal in English football since a brace for Bristol City at Middlesbrough in February 2021 moved Cardiff to within seven points of the play-off places.
The on-loan Senegal striker converted Josh Bowler’s cross on the half-hour mark to put his name on a Championship scoresheet again after spells in Turkey and Spain.
Huddersfield were left bemused by referee Matthew Donohue when they might have been awarded a penalty.
Perry Ng appeared to kick out at Michal Helik at a corner and was booked by Donohue, who was looking at the incident, but the official chose to take no further punishment.
Huddersfield had not lost under Breitenreiter, with the German having taken four points from his first two games.
Confidence from winning at Watford and holding promotion-chasing Leeds to a draw was reflected by a bright start that saw Ben Wiles fire over after Joe Ralls made a mess of clearing Delano Burgzorg’s centre.
As the half wore on, Huddersfield’s best moments were restricted to Sorba Thomas’ dead-ball delivery.
Dimitrios Goutas, Cardiff’s Greek centre-half, got an invaluable touch on one Thomas free-kick sent into a crowded six-yard box.
Another fine ball from the Wales international ended with a Brodie Spencer header that home goalkeeper Ethan Horvath grasped.
Cardiff’s own attacks often petered out, despite Bowler being a regular threat down the right flank.
But Lee Nicholls reacted well at his near post after Karlan Grant had cut back on to his right foot to deliver both power and accuracy.
The deadlock was broken after 30 minutes as Cardiff produced a superb sweeping move out of keeping with the contest.
Ryan Wintle’s excellent cross-field pass was matched by the touch of Bowler and Diedhiou guided his cross beyond the diving Nicholls.
