Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town. Sky Bet Championship.
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Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Huddersfield Town at the bet365 Stadium on Easter Monday | Ki-Jana Hoever cancels out Bojan Radulovic's opener to keep the struggling Terriers in the relegation zone
Monday 1 April 2024 18:09, UK
Huddersfield remain in the relegation zone as they let the lead slip in a 1-1 draw with Stoke.
Bojan Radulovic's strike just before half-time - his first following a January move from HJK Helsinki - handed the visiting Terriers the ascendancy.
But an impressive Ki-Jana Hoever finish shortly after the restart levelled the proceedings - his second goal in as many games.
The visitors, who have won only one of their seven games under new boss Andre Breitenreiter, could not restore their advantage as their winless run stretches to six.
Meanwhile, with only two losses in their last six games, Stoke remain five points above the dreaded dotted line.
Despite their recent form, Breitenreiter would have been encouraged by a heartening Huddersfield start in the Potteries.
The Terriers' early promise was nearly rewarded when a Matty Pearson header nestled in the back of the net. However, the defender's celebrations were cut short with the goal ruled out for offside following Patrick Jones' interference in front of keeper Daniel Iversen.
Heeding their early warning sign, Stoke gradually grew into the fixture with Lewis Baker testing Lee Nicholls from range.
A high-tempo opening to the game ensued and Huddersfield spurned two half-chances in quick succession before the half-hour mark.
Radulovic's tame strike from a promising position and a wild David Kasumu effort were then nearly punished by the lively Baker. The former Chelsea youngster came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock but his free-kick from 30 yards crashed off the crossbar with Lee Nicholls helpless.
And it was Huddersfield who snatched the advantage before the break as Radulovic skipped beyond the challenge of Michael Rose to fire confidently beyond Iversen.
But the Terriers' lead proved short-lived as Stoke returned for the restart with the wind in their sails.
The in-form Hoever levelled the scores in impressive style, cutting inside Sorba Thomas before firing a pinpoint effort beyond the despairing Nicholls.
Buoyed by their equaliser, the Potters attempted to complete a rapid turnaround with Hoever first going close with an audacious strike from range.
Wouter Burger then raced through on goal but the Dutch midfielder failed to generate the power to beat the onrushing Nicholls.
Huddersfield were fortunate not to fall behind, with Nicholls pawing a Laurent header only as far as Luke McNally whose effort was hooked off the line by Jack Rudoni.
Despite Stoke's second-half dominance, it was Huddersfield who finished the stronger and they nearly snatched a late winner.
Substitute Delano Burgzorg was thwarted by a block and then an Iversen save as he spurned two chances.
With six games remaining, both sides still have work to do to secure their Championship status for next season.
Stoke's Steven Schumacher:
"We could have won it, especially in the second half, but four points over the Easter weekend is okay.
"That was a bit of a battle; we started the game well but lost our way, they got on top and deserved to take the lead.
"We played with a bit more tempo and urgency in the second half, so it's pleasing to come from behind and get something from the game.
"It's important that everyone contributes goals so hopefully Hoever keeps that habit up and it was a brilliant finish.
"After that, we grew in confidence and got into some good areas but just didn't manage to make one of them count.
"It was a good reaction from the lads in the second half; we were excellent and could have won it and then defended our box well."
Huddersfield's Andre Breitenreiter:
"We are happy with the performance of the team today. mWe had a lot of injuries and it was a young team, but we controlled the first half and we knew that there'd be opportunities to create chances.
"Second half, we conceded another goal of the month (contender), it's unbelievable, but again we must defend better and tighter.
"At the end of the game, if it's fair or not fair, we should take the lead again and we had some big chances. But we didn't score and this has been a problem for many weeks.
"It was sometimes too easy to concede the goals and we don't capitalise from our opportunities.
"We have players with potential and in my opinion, they showed that today - but to win the close games we need the goal."
