Tom Lees and Duane Holmes fire Huddersfield into play-off spots

Huddersfield Town v Hull City – Sky Bet Championship – John Smith’s Stadium
(Image credit: Tim Markland)

Huddersfield moved into the Championship play-off places following a battling 2-0 win at home to Hull.

Tom Lees got the Terriers up and running following a goalkeeping blunder by Matt Ingram in the ninth minute.

Duane Holmes then made the game safe with a fine curling effort with 17 minutes to go.

The visitors had enjoyed plenty of possession between both goals.

But they lacked a cutting edge throughout, with a Keane Lewis-Potter free-kick the only time Huddersfield goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was seriously tested.

It wrapped up back-to-back home wins for Town and left Hull continuing to look over their shoulders.

Levi Colwill picked up a booking after just 45 seconds for a high boot on George Honeyman.

Richie Smallwood was lucky to escape with a telling off three minutes later after chopping down Lewis O’Brien in full flow.

Lees bundled Huddersfield in front from under the crossbar after Ingram failed to claim a Danel Sinani corner.

Nicholls got down well to turn a dangerous Andy Cannon shot to safety after 20 minutes.

He then saved a curling free-kick from Lewis-Potter as Hull started to see more of the ball.

Ingram tipped over a deflected Sinani shot for a 42nd-minute corner after Town broke through midfield.

Honeyman was booked a minute later for a late lunge on Jonathan Hogg, before Holmes curled the resulting free-kick just wide.

Nicholls tipped over a Jacob Greaves header on the stroke of half-time.

Hull started the second half brightest but continued to waste good possession with their poor final ball.

Sorba Thomas had a powerful shot blocked before Danny Ward was just unable to reach O’Brien’s cross.

Smallwood was subbed a minute after receiving a final telling off from referee Robert Jones.

Matt Pearson did well to prevent Honeyman from getting a shot away as Hull opened Huddersfield up after 60 minutes.

Colwill smashed high and wide after Harry Toffolo’s cross landed at his feet.

Holmes curled a beautiful shot home in the 73rd minute following a darting run across the edge of the box.

George Moncur fired over on the turn for Hull, before O’Brien failed to find his range from distance.

Tom Eaves was inches away from pulling a goal back after he turned well and shot with four minutes to go.

Mallik Wilks drilled just wide from the edge of the box in stoppage time.