West Bromwich Albion took on Huddersfield Town in the Premier League at The Hawthorns requiring a vital three points in order to mount a last-ditch relegation battle.
David Wagner's Town brought a lacklustre game to life early in the second half, following two quick-fire goals from Rajiv van La Parra and Steven Mounie that put the Terriers into the driving seat.
The Baggies gave themselves a lifeline when Craig Dawson replied 25 minutes from time, but it proved too little too late as Town edged out the victory to leave Alan Pardew's side in trouble heading into the final 10 games of the season.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
2.00pmGood afternoon all and thanks for joining us as we bring you live coverage as West Bromwich Albion take on Huddersfield Town in the Premier League. Alan Pardew's men will be desperate for three home points this afternoon as they aim to mount a last-minute challenge to avoid relegation. As for the Terriers, David Wagner's men have kept their survival hopes alive after beating Bournemouth last time out and sit one place above the drop zone.
2.01pmWEST BROMWICH ALBION STARTING XI: Foster; Gibbs, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans; Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips, McClean; Rodriguez, Rondon
2.02pmWEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Nyom, Yacob, Livermore, Brunt, Burke, McAuley
2.04pmHUDDERSFIELD TOWN STARTING XI: Lossl; Kongolo, Jorgensen, Schindler, Hadergjonaj; Williams, Hogg, Quaner, Pritchard, van La Parra; Mounie
2.04pmHUDDERSFIELD TOWN SUBSTITUTES: Smith, Malone, Whitehead, Sabiri, Coleman, Depoitre, Ince
2.06pmSo the major news for West Brom fans is that Jonny Evans has kept his captaincy at starts at the back, despite recent off-the-field troubles. The hosts will lead the line with Salomon Rondon up top, with further creative support coming from Matt Phillips, James McClean and James Rodriguez.
2.08pmElsewhere, Kieran Gibbs returns at the back, while a previously ill Jake Livermore finds himself on the bench. The game has come a touch too early for Nacir Chadli, while there is no sign of an injured Daniel Sturridge either.
2.10pmThere is a place in midfield for Gareth Barry too regardless of his supposed involvement in that infamous taxi incident in Barcelona, although stopper Boaz Myhill is on the bench while Ben Foster continues.
2.12pmAs for the visitors, Wagner has made two key changes to his side. Jonathan Hogg comes into midfield as does Alex Pritchard, after they both missed the club's FA Cup loss to Manchester United.
2.14pmAaron Mooy is sidelined with an infected cut on his knee and there is no sign of Michael Hefele either. The Terriers have opted for the inform Steve Mounie following his memorable showing against Bournemouth last time out in the league.
2.14pmThis is a game of huge magnitude for both sides, but particularly the Baggies who found themselves rooted to the bottom of the table and currently seven points off safety. The importance of this contest is personified by the fact that Pardew has felt it necessary to play both Evans and Barry regardless of their apparent off-field exploits in Barcelona.
2.15pmPardew has endured a torrid time of things without the club's other issues too. The Baggies boss has won just one of his 13 league matches since taking over.
2.17pmIn the league, the club's last win came four games ago when they beat Brighton & Hove Albion at The Hawthorns. After that they drew away at Everton before losing to Manchester City, Southampton and Chelsea, conceding nine and scoring just two in those three games.
2.18pmPrior to January's win over Brighton, the Baggies had not claimed three points since the opening month of the season, when they won each of their opening fixtures home and away under Tony Pulis.
2.19pmWith that in mind, the statistics now present a rather bleak picture for West Brom. The club have have won just once in their last 25 Premier League matches.
2.21pmFor much of the season the crucial issue has been goals and that does not appear to have changed too much despite Pardew attempting to push more of his men forward since taking charge. Four of the Baggies' last five Premier League goals have been notched courtesy of corners, with Chris Brunt assisting for three of them.
2.22pmHaving said that, the Baggies have also had problems at the back recently too. They have been able to win only three of the 11 Premier League games in which they have gone in front this season. In fact, Pardew's men have conceded at least three goals in their last three league matches.
2.24pmThis season has marked a low-point compared to the club's usual picture of Premier League security. The Baggies' tally of 20 points after 27 matches is exactly half of what they had at this same stage last term.
2.26pmDespite that, there are some small signals of optimism for West Brom fans today. They have not lost home and away against a promoted side in a single season since 2014-15 when they were beaten twice by Queens Park Rangers.
2.28pmThe Baggies also have a decent home record this term despite their dire position at the bottom of the table. Pardew's side have only lost four home league matches all season. That's certainly something to build from today.
2.29pmAs for the visitors, Wagner's men overturned a horrendous run of form last time out with a resounding 4-1 win over then visitors Bournemouth.
2.30pmTo build on that win, Huddersfield also controlled Manchester United for much of the game in their recent 2-0 FA Cup defeat, leaving Wagner's men with much to work from going into this contest.
2.31pmThose two positive performances perhaps only paper over what has been a very testing winter for the Terriers. Prior to beating Bournemouth last weekend, Town had lost five league games in a row and had no wins in eight in the top flight.
2.32pmAdded to that, the club's away form is still deeply problematic. Town have won just twice in their 13 away matches in the Premier League this season.
2.34pmIt has been on the road where Huddersfield have really got themselves into trouble. Town have actually lost nine Premier League away matches by two or more goals without scoring, including each of their last three. Wagner's men have just two wins on their travels all season long.
2.36pmThe issues have been sprung from a lack of concatenation and some blunt attacking tools. Huddersfield have failed to score in 10 of their last 12 away matches and have also been drawing at half time and losing at full time in their last three away from the John Smith's Stadium.
2.38pmMounie was fantastic against Bournemouth and he will be hoping for more of the same today. Prior to beating Bournemouth, Wagner's men had scored just once in 620 league minutes and that is something they will need to avoid occurring again as they bid to stay in the Premier League.
2.40pmThe absence of Mooy today could be hugely problematic for Town, however, since the playmaker has been instrumental for the visitors going forward. The return of Hogg is definitely a plus point, though, especially when heading into an industrious contest at The Hawthorns.
2.42pmSo these clubs have met just once before in the Premier League, when Town edged Albion with a 1-0 victory in Huddersfield during November, courtesy of a Rajiv van La Parra goal. Christopher Schindler was also sent off early in the second half too.
2.43pmAcross all competitions, the Terriers have lost only one of their previous seven games at The Hawthorns, having won three and drawn three. They last visited this ground in 2001.
2.45pmOver their last six meetings home and away, Town have won three, drawn two and lost one against the Baggies.
2.47pmPREDICTION! Right, we have just under 15 minutes until kickoff so it's time to make a prediction. West Brom have been woeful this term but they just about have enough time left to stage the unthinkable and they will need three points here this afternoon. The club has experienced problems at both ends, but they might just fancy themselves against a Town side that does not feature Mooy in the middle. I'm expecting Huddersfield to run this close although West Brom might be able to snatch something given their home leaning. I'm going for a 1-0 Baggies victory.
2.49pmIt is clear that Pardew is still smarting after what reportedly happened in Barcelona and he is tasking his side to respond with a perfect display of professionalism at home today:
"I think it's important we answer the question marks against us in terms of professionalism...we haven't really got a defence for all that until we win.
"We know at the end of the game on Saturday that if we haven't won then it will be a difficult week again for us, and we don't want another difficult week.
"No-one wants to play and work like this. We want to come in and work and smile and have a buzz about us and repay some of the faith our supporters have."
2.51pmAs for Wagner, the Town coach has lauded his side's togetherness during what has been a timely revival:
"We are really playing for something and it's great to be involved in. We will have the supporters behind us and we want to show the best performance we can. Win, lose or draw everyone sticks together; that's our strength. The togetherness at this football club is special."
2.53pmWe're just a matter of minutes away from kickoff now!
⏰ not long now 🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️ #HTAFC (AT) pic.twitter.com/nh3FJxFKTG
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2.54pmNow for a quick recap of the starting XIs before we get underway...
2.56pmWEST BROMWICH ALBION STARTING XI: Foster; Gibbs, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans; Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips, McClean; Rodriguez, Rondon
2.58pmHUDDERSFIELD TOWN STARTING XI: Lossl; Kongolo, Jorgensen, Schindler, Hadergjonaj; Williams, Hogg, Quaner, Pritchard, van La Parra; Mounie
2.59pmThe ground is filling up quickly now and the West Brom fans are doing their best to lift the hosts ahead of this crucial fixture.
1 minKICKOFF And we are off at The Hawthorns...
3 minIt's been a fairly bright start for the Baggies who make decent progress with a run from Rodriguez, but he is eventually upended by Hogg inside the Huddersfield half.
5 minMore good movement from Rodriguez as he aims to latch onto a through-ball from Phillips, only to be adjusted offside by the linesman.
7 minBoth sides have settled into the contest without too many issues. West Brom have enjoyed more of the ball, but Town look to break through Quaner who is soon brought down by a retreating Gibbs.
9 minNo goal threats just yet, but the Baggies are starting to move the ball with a bit of vigour inside the Town half. Barry and Krychowiak have looked composed in the middle.
11 minCLOSE! It's Town who carve out the game's first half chance, as Mounie gambles well to receive a through-ball over the top of the last man, but the striker cannot quite control the pass and the Baggies can hoof clear.
13 minRodriguez has caused some issue with his movement so far and this time the frontman is at it again, but he cannot get on the end of an inventive pass from McClean and Town are able to claim the goal kick.
15 minMcClean thinks that he's got himself in with a chance to head clean on goal, but Jonathan Moss pulls play bag for a foul on Schindler.
17 minThis has been an incredibly cagey contest thus far. The Baggies are doing most of the forward pressing, but Wagner will be pleased with how compact his side have presented themselves to the hosts, who struggling to break them down at the moment.
19 minBack come West Brom again, this time as Phillips looks to break beyond and receive a through-ball, only to be thwarted by an alert Jorgensen at the heart of the Huddersfield defence.
21 minThe hosts are just beginning to mount some effective pressure on the away side and Rodriguez almost has the beating of the last man, but Kongolo recovers well to make a good clearance.
23 minWest Brom get the chance to hoof something into the box with a long free kick from Hegazy, but once more Town stand their ground and make an easy clearance without the ball into the middle troubling Wagner's men.
25 minThe Baggies are getting into some strong positions only to be let down by their quality. Gibbs charges down the left channel before delivering a poor cross that eventually creeps out for a goal kick.
27 minPardew will be fairly pleased with his side's attempts to get forward, although again Rodriguez drifts into an offside position. Neither of the keepers has been tested yet and we're already approaching the half-hour mark!
29 minWe might have a slight delay here as Krychowiak has taken a rather hard knock. Hopefully he'll be back on his feet again soon.
30 minYELLOW CARD! Hadergjonaj goes into the book now for a hefty challenge on McClean, who aims to link inside from the left wing. Plenty of industry in this game thus far, but no real quality.
32 minThe resulting kick gives Phillips the chance to swing the ball into a loaded box, but once again the quality is poor and Town are let off the hook.
35 minCLOSE! The Baggies win the ball back inside their own half and they are able to spring a quick counter attack through McClean, but he just can't quite bring the ball under control and the chance to attack goes begging.
36 minPritchard has been impressive when he's had the ball for Town, and this time he almost creates the best chance of the game. The midfielder rises inside the penalty area, only to see well-timed header thump into a West Brom body before it has chance to bother Foster.
39 minCHANCE! Once again the hosts' lack of quality prevents them from doing damage. Rondon reacts well to a cross into the box, only for his tame header to be easily stopped by a grateful Lossl.
41 minSAVE! For all of West Brom's possession, Town nearly make them pay on the stroke of half time. Hadergjonaj is passed the ball by van La Parra, leaving the full-back to strike from distance and force a smart save from Foster.
43 minCHANCE! A turbulent end to the first half. West Brom break down at the other end, where McClean reacts quickest to a cross from Phillips, before seeing his effort flick the top of the crossbar with Lossl scrambling.
45 minWe are going to have two minutes of additional time here in the first half...
45+2 minHALF TIME: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
3.47pmSo Jonathan Moss brings an end to an intruifgin half of football at The Hawthorns, where both sides have had fairly decent chances to earn a lead going into the break.
4.49pmWest From have arguably done most of the attacking after 45 minutes, but they have been unable to find a way through this compact Town side. The best chance has fallen to McClean, who could only turn a delivery from Phillips onto the crossbar.
4.54pmTown have defended brightly and look well-organised, rather good value for the draw at the moment. The visitors have offered glimmers on the counter too, especially with Pritchard going close with his header. Mouinie has also threatened with his movement too, although we haven't seen too much quality from him with the ball at his feet.
4.03pmSo what will the managers do here with this game still on a knife's edge? I doubt we'll see any changes just yet, a point might just do for Town but Albion really need a victory here.
46 minSECOND HALF! We are back underway at The Hawthorns, this will be a huge second period for both teams.
47 minGOAL! WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (RAJIV VAN LA PARRA)
47 minWhat a start to the second half for Huddersfield... Quaner takes up possession on the right of the box and a run on the overlap from Hadergjonaj is enough to distract his marker. The winger is then able to turn the ball into the middle, where an unmarked Van La Parra turns a miscued effort in at the back post.
49 minThis game did not look like offering goals, so the Baggies have it all to do now as they try to find a route back into the game. Wagner will be delighted with how this 45 minutes could pan out now.
52 minSUBSTITUTE: It looks like Wagner has made a bold decision to bring Hadergjonaj in place of Tommy Smith. The full-back was on a yellow and perhaps Smith can deal slightly better with McClean as this game wears on.
54 minSHOT! Great work from the visitors now as they apply pressure when West Brom aim to play out from the back. Williams collects the ball and strikes at goal, leaving his shot just to fade wide of the far post.
56 minGOAL! WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-2 HUDDERSFIELD (STEVE MOUNIE)
56 minWhat are we seeing here? Albion have been dreadful in the second half. Krychowiak is caught dallying on the ball in the middle and Town soon feed a pass into Pritchard. The midfielder gets his head up to spot a delightful run beyond from Mounie, who collects his teammates through-ball calmly and bends a smart finish past an on-rusing Foster.
58 minPatrick Stewart looks on rather happily from the stands at a Huddersfield side who have been clinical in this second half. West brom have caused all of their own problems though.
60 minWest From have been left shell-shocked by those two goals and they're struggling to thread much together inside the Town half. The visitors are pressing with real purpose at the moment.
64 minGOAL! WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-2 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (CRAIG DAWSON)
64 minA lifeline for the hosts then and it comes out of nowhere really. The Baggies win a corner which is turned into the middle by Brunt. Lossl comes off his line to punch and makes a real mess of things, allowing an on-rushing Dawson to head into the net. We have a game on our hands now!
66 minSAVE! Back come Town, though, who want to secure that two-goal lead again. Williams comes inside to collect the ball and fire a thunderous effort from distance, leaving Foster to make a strong diving save with both fists.
68 minThe goal has lifted the Baggies slightly and Rodriguez does well to break forward on the counter and earn the hosts another promising set piece after a foul from Williams.
70 minSAVE! Lossl makes amends for that first error now as he leaps across to keep out Brunt's swerving effort from the free kick. Great save from the away stopper...
72 minThings are moving from end to end nicely now as we have a real clash on our hands at The Hawthorns. Williams breaks again but is soon shut-down by Krychowiak.
74 minThe counter is proving profitable for the visitors and this time van La Parra almost breaks through, only to be denied by the pace on the pass as the Baggies settle for a goal kick.
76 minRondon looks to make a run beyond the Huddersfield back-two, but not for the first time today he is ruled out for offside.
77 minSUBSTITUTION: Wagner makes another change now as Laurent Depoitre comes on to replace Pritchard, who has been excellent for the away side today.
79 minVan La Parra has been a real thorn in the West Brom side today, especially when breaking down the left. The goal-scorer aims to break past Gibbs, but the full-back makes a good interception to prevent the danger from developing.
81 minSo what can West Brom do as we head into the final 10 minutes? It looks like set pieces are the most viable option now with Brunt on the pitch.
84 minYELLOW CARD! Evans goes into the book following a poor challenge on Williams who was looking to break. Town can't profit from the free kick, though, as the ball goes into the box and is cleared at the first attempt.
85 minDanger signs again for Town, as Lossl comes and fails to gather again, almost allowing Dawson to swoop in with another powerful header!
87 minCLOSE! What a finish this is proving to be. Again West Brom threaten when Krychowiak collects on the edge of the box, but he cannot guide his effort on target and Town breathe a big sigh of relief.
89 minSUBSTITUTE: Wagner aims to take some of this late sting out of the game as he replaces va La Parra with Tom Ince.
90+1 minWe're going to have four minutes of additional time...
90+2 minHegazy opts long with a ball from the back, but Lossl keeps his cool to come out and gather under pressure from Rondon.
90+4 minFULL TIME: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-2 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
4.56pmWhat a huge win for the Terriers, who were deserving of all three points. The visitors proved clinical when required and were able to stave off any mounting pressure towards the end here.
4.57pmWest Brom fans will be livid. The hosts showed very little going forward in either half and only really started to play once they had gone behind. Pardew has a huge amount of work to do in the coming weeks should his side be able to mount any sort of survival challenge. That's if the club decide to keep him too. That's going to be all from me today. Thanks for joining us!
