Huddersfield 1 Leicester 1: David Wagner admits his team were 'hurt' after Elias Kachunga goal disallowed for offside

The Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner admitted that his team were “hurt” after a goal from Elias Kachunga was disallowed for offside during their 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

Television replays suggested that Kachunga was being played onside by the Leicester midfielder Andy King as he headed the ball into the goal just after the hour mark. However, it was chalked off to prevent the Terriers from recording a merited victory and ending Saturday afternoon in the Premier League top three.

“I’ve seen the video footage,” Wagner said. “It was obvious that Kachunga was onside - nearly a yard. From my point of view it wasn’t difficult to see. This is why we have the Referee’s Assistant on the touchline, unfortunately it was a mistake and this was a wrong decision.

“This is something that we have to accept even if it hurts, absolutely hurts. This is a huge disappointment for us.”

The last time these clubs met in this parish for a top-flight fixture, Frank Worthington scored for Huddersfield in a 2-2 draw. This encounter, unlike the opening day of the 1971-72 campaign, stood out for its energy and endeavour and not the sort of reverie’s once painted by the dashing figure of Worthington.

After the hosts had spent the opening period beating a path towards the door of Kasper Schmeichel, without ever appearing capable of flinging it open, the game was ignited by Laurent Depoitre’s 46th-minute strike.

The Belgian, a summer arrival from Porto, outmanoeuvred Harry Maguire and delivered an exemplary finish.

Leicester, though, who had until that point exhibited precious little bravura to suggest their counter-attacking style would earn a result, let alone muster a goal-scoring opportunity of note, restored parity when the Huddersfield left-back Chris Lowe charitably went to ground in a challenge with King to concede a penalty.

Vardy emphatically registered his fourth goal of the campaign from the spot-kick and the Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare confessed that they had been fortunate to gain a share of the spoils, particularly in the context of the Kachunga offside decision.

“We’ve had it go against us and this one probably went for us,” Shakespeare said.

“If you had offered me a point at half-time I'd have snapped your hand off. First-half performance we were second best and you have to give credit to the home team, the way that they applied themselves.

"We had quite a few players off the pace, but ultimately, at the end of the game when you assess it as a manager, we've played a lot better than that this season and got nothing. So to get a point, I have to be relieved and pleased really.”