Huddersfield book Wembley final after shootout win

Huddersfield Town reached the Championship play-off final after a dramatic 4-3 win on penalties over Sheffield Wednesday.

David Wagner’s side set up a clash against Jaap Stam’s Reading at Wembley on May 29 after Danny Ward saved the decisive spot-kick. Earlier, the match had finished 1-1 – leaving the sides tied on aggregate – after 120 minutes.

Huddersfield shaded the first half and should have been awarded a penalty when Nahki Wells collided with goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

Steven Fletcher had given the Owls the lead in the second half but Tom Lees’ turned the ball into his own net to give the visitors the equaliser and force extra time.

In the shootout, Fernando Forestieri and Chris Hutchinson both missed to give Huddersfield victory.

Should Huddersfield have been awarded a first-half penalty? Nahki Wells got ahead of the keeper from Rajiv van La Parra’s cut back and appeared to be barged over during the collision. It was a strong claim for a spot kick with replays showing the Terriers were unfortunate to be on the wrong end of the decision. Still, it did not matter in the end.

Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday): The Scottish winger was a class apart with his pace and accurate crosses. He set up the goal with a pinpoint cross and bossed the midfield. Did not deserve to be on the losing side.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood 6, Hunt 5, Lees 6, Loovens 6, Pudil 5, Wallace 5, Hutchinson 7, Lee 6, Bannan 8, Fletcher 7, Forestieri 6. Subs: Reach 6, Rhodes 6, Nuhiu 5.

Huddersfield Town: Ward 7, Smith 6, Schindler 5, Hifele 6, Lowe 6, Hogg 7, Mooy 6, Kachunga 4, Brown 6, Van La Parra 6, Wells 6. Subs: Quaner 8, Payne 5, Holmes-Dennis 5.

19’ - DOUBLE SAVE: Reach controls the ball on his chest and drills in a shot from inside the area which the keeper blocks, the rebound falls to Fletcher whose effort is saved but he is flagged off-side.

26’ - WHAT A MISS! Wells slides in a low cross for Brown who can only send his effort wide from ten yards.

34’ - CHANCE! From the resulting free-kick by Bannan, the ball is flicked on for Hutchinson who blazes a volley over from inside the area.

38’ - PENALTY SHOUT! Wells gets in ahead of the keeper after the ball comes in from the right but appears to be barged over as they collide. Mariner waves play on, you have certainly seen those given!

51’ - GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Huddersfield: Bannan's cross from the left and Fletcher's downward header finds its way into the corner.

73’ - GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Huddersfield: Quaner makes an instant impact, running onto Brown's through ball and squaring it for Wells who bundled the ball in from close range off Lees.

85’ - GOOD SAVE! Quaner puts the ball through Loovens's legs before squaring it back for Wells whose strike is saved at the near post.

103’ - GOOD SAVE! The corner is partially cleared, Hutchinson does well to win the ball back. It falls to Rhodes in the box whose low drive is blocked by Ward.

This was the first time Huddersfield had netted against Sheffield Wednesday this season.

Huddersfield have not been in the top flight since 1972.