Match ends, Huddersfield Town 1, Leeds United 2.
HuddersfieldHuddersfield Town1LeedsLeeds United2
Billy Sharp's late header secured a derby victory over Huddersfield Town for Leeds and eased the relegation concerns of Neal Redfearn's side.
Substitute Sharp connected with Mirco Antenucci's cross in the 90th minute to decide the West Yorkshire contest.
Sam Byram had put the visitors in front with a one-on-one finish, before Harry Bunn headed in a corner to level.
But Sharp's late interjection means Leeds are five points above the Championship drop zone.
United had not won in seven league games until last week's victory against leaders Bournemouth, and now have back-to-back victories for the first time since September, a week after owner Massimo Cellino stepped down from his involvement with the club.
They looked in high spirits early on, against a Huddersfield side that won three of their last four, as Byram latched on to Luke Murphy's pass before clipping over keeper Joe Murphy keeper with just seven minutes gone.
Things seemed to get immediately worse for the hosts, with top-scorer Nahki Wells having to go off injured, but it paved the way for scorer Bunn to step off the bench.
And after James Vaughan's shot was deflected wide, Jacob Butterfield's subsequent corner drifted all the way to the back post where the substitute was able to nod in his seventh of the season.
Vaughan, wearing a facemask to protect a fractured cheekbone, had a header saved by Marco Silvestri and Sean Scannell fired across goal before the break.
But the game became flat in the second half, living up to its billing as a gritty derby, with plenty of contested tackles but few clear-cut chances.
Bunn almost snatched a winner for the Terriers but his header was cleared off the line by Steve Morison before Sharp produced the late drama, earning a booking for his exuberant celebration.
The game finished on an even more sombre note for mid-table Town, as defender Tommy Smith was taken off on a stretcher with a head or neck injury, and was later taken to hospital by helicopter.
Huddersfield manager Chris Powell on Tommy Smith's injury:
"It was a very serious incident but he is in good hands. His welfare is all important now.
"I believe he was in and out of consciousness for 10 minutes and this was a major head or neck trauma.
"I am a little bit shocked after that, but I have spoken to his family and hopefully he will be okay."
Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn:
"It was a great win because it sends out a message. It's a culmination of the four matches and is similar to when I was caretaker.
"We have two wins and two draws and we are going in the right direction."
Line-ups
Huddersfield
Formation 3-5-2
- 13Murphy
- 27SmithSubstituted forLolleyat 90+9'minutes
- 4Hudson
- 33LynchBooked at 45minsSubstituted forM Wallaceat 88'minutes
- 7Scannell
- 8ButterfieldBooked at 41mins
- 2Edgar
- 10Coady
- 17Robinson
- 21WellsSubstituted forBunnat 10'minutes
- 9Vaughan
Substitutes
- 3Dixon
- 15M Wallace
- 18Lolley
- 28Gobern
- 30Bunn
- 31Allinson
- 45Majewski
Leeds
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Silvestri
- 15Wootton
- 3Bamba
- 32Cooper
- 21TaylorBooked at 35mins
- 23L CookSubstituted forSharpat 87'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 7Murphy
- 2Byram
- 4AustinBooked at 45mins
- 27MowattSubstituted forAntenucciat 59'minutes
- 19Morison
Substitutes
- 8Sharp
- 12Berardi
- 13Taylor
- 14Bianchi
- 26Montenegro
- 33Sloth
- 34Antenucci
- Referee:
- Chris Foy
- Attendance:
- 20,029
Match Stats
Home TeamHuddersfieldAway TeamLeeds
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Huddersfield Town 1, Leeds United 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Joe Lolley following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Sol Bamba.
Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Joe Lolley replaces Tommy Smith because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Booking
Billy Sharp (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Delay in match Tommy Smith (Huddersfield Town) because of an injury.
Goal!
Goal! Huddersfield Town 1, Leeds United 2. Billy Sharp (Leeds United) header from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Mirco Antenucci with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Steve Morison (Leeds United) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Luke Murphy.
Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Murray Wallace replaces Joel Lynch because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mirco Antenucci (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Sam Byram.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Billy Sharp replaces Lewis Cook because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Harry Bunn (Huddersfield Town) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacob Butterfield with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Scott Wootton.
Post update
Foul by Sol Bamba (Leeds United).
Post update
James Vaughan (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jacob Butterfield (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Conor Coady.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match James Vaughan (Huddersfield Town) because of an injury.
